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Chahilu history in Lulogooli : Gaa kale gaa Chahilu (1942-2025)

Bernard Philimona Chahilu 1942-2025  Liivulwa Mukuluundu Bernard Philemon Chahilu yivulwa muhiga gwa 1942 mweli gwa kavili guvee sita (6/2/1942). Nu mwana wa Elam Kilago na maama Jelida Modani ma vosi vaakuza. Nu muyaayi Mukizuungu Mudidi mwifwa Mumasiingila Muvisonye. Yiivulwa muyaayi munifu mulidaala lye Gaigedi, Gaigedi logongo, Wodanga Lusoma, Sabatia Sub-county, Vihiga County. Kuviikilwa makono. Yaaviikilwa ku makono no mwilwazi Daudi Kadenge muhiga gwa 1942 mulidaala lie Gavudia mulivugaana lia Valina. (Friends Church). Likevwa Yaakevwa muhiga gwa 1952 kekevo chalaangwa Silula. Lisooma Yaataangila lisooma lilie ha Gaigedi masoomo go muluguki. Yaamanya niazya Gahumbwa Primary muhiga gwa 1955 mukilaasi kia kavaga. Yaakola ligela lia vaalaanga C.E.E. (Common Entrance Exam) muhiga gwa 1956 ha Gahumbwa. Muhiga gwa 1957 yaazya kusooma mukilaasi cha kataano ha Kericho Township School. Muhiga gwa 1958 yaazya kusooma ha Kigama Intermediate mukilaasi cha siita niakolela ho ligela liala...
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A history of Mbale

The present MBALE town in Maragoli, Vihiga County (It used be a District), is locally known to its residents as "WA-MBALE". It is a name derived from an ancestor – who was the Great Great Grandfather called "AMBALE" of the Abasaniaga (Kamnara) Clan.

Ambale's parcel of land which stretched from "IDAVAGA" where he lived and died, extended beyond the present MBALE Market Place in Maragoli. History has it that Ambale was a shrewd cattle trader. Both buyers and sellers always converged at a famous spot in Ambale's land under a tree shade or some trees known as "MU-MIZAMBARAU" – 'Mzambarau' is a Swahili name of  plum tree.  The "Mzambarau spot" brought together traders from as far as Bunyore, Luanda, Idakho, Isukha, Serem (Banja), Kisa, and Kisumu for Saturday market livestock trading. Saturday is still the main market day  in Mbale.

When the Colonial Government built the Kisumu - Kakamega Road, Ambale's land was affected and divided - hiking away the market spot from his parcel of land to which he would never be compensated. The present Muslim Mosque was built and stands in the very place and a few of these trees can be seen to this day.

Ambale's sons were - Gamsha, Engome, Luvita and the youngest – Ganihitsu. Ganihitsu and wife Diana Nyagi bore Agesa (alias Harambee), Asava (alias Kilanduka) and Lusigi. They were great people. Agesa bore Inziano, father to Neccy Munagi, the contributor of this article. Understandably from Ganihitsu's daughter Resba Mengesa Lwimbu (who was 90yrs old while narrating this story), even the land extending to Muslim Primary School and the entire village, belonged to this great, great, grandfather.

Ambale was so kindly generous that he went against tradition by giving away land to his sister called Maria Ilunda who had been married at 'Evogonda'.  The circumstance to the act wasn't included by the writer.

According to Abalogoli culture, women were not allowed to inherit land and property. With increased in- laws following, that is how land was lost on the Evogonda / Idavaga side. The great great grandsons of Mbale have been forced to buy land for settling in an area that once belonged to their ancestor.

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