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Heavy responsibilities for elder aunt among the Logooli

With Seenge Fonesi. She is the elder grand daughter of Isagi and elder daughter of Amugasya. She is often present in functions involving the family of Amugasya. Pic taken on 18/4/2024. The elder sister soon becomes the elder aunt. It is this “seenge munene” (elder aunt) tag that she is tied to many cultural responsibilities – back home. To her marital family she may appear as any other woman, but she is not so in the eyes of her people. Marriage does not steal her away as it would happen with other daughters of the old man. To her, as days go and the old man and woman of the estate are dependents, she becomes increasingly present.  Her brothers also need her for almost all traditional markings. They are marrying, she needs to welcome the new wife. They are giving birth, she needs to come to midwife or “bless” the new born. They are paying dowry she needs to lead the women delegate. There is a conflict she needs to come for a hearing.  And many others. Traditions does not expect her to
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What best for Maragoli hills?

Vihiga County is considered one of the smallest counties but like Mombasa County it is huge when one starts to know what it is composed of, its demographics. Previous blog posts have hinted on other refreshing areas to visit and today we went again to the hills for another experience - One visit is never enough.

Saniaga League in conjunction with Saide Library organised a hike that brought together 26 youths whom after the event shared experiences worth the knowledge of any adventuresome soul.

The way to the hills. Not all know where to start as they take to the hills. People just know Majengo. Well, others add Mahanga. By the way Mahanga is good to connect from if you are just heading to the hills. But to Mungoma, where Murogori is said to have lived one is expected to go further and alight at Waluka, before Kima. There is a school forward the rough road that won't make one lost.
As obvious hikers need be as flexible as possible with minimum or no bags. Water is key but the hills do not savor great thirst. And just as the rough road winds there are youths around - very peaceful -/who can direct you around. In all ways necessary, it is better to have a hiker who understands the hills for maximum adventure.

Both the hikers and children from the neighbour homes. It was fun!

You would not understand the pleasure and pain of jumping rock to rock, crawling in underneath passes, being leg strangled by the creepers and facing total darkness. That is for the visitors, a memory not to be diluted through writing.

But you will find that the Caves are not guarded, no one is around to explain 'history' and little has been done not only to the site but also to the large Maragoli hills Extension.
And it was not easy to Mr. Geoffrey Vukaya, Trade and commerce cabinet secretary of Vihiga County who joined the voyage alongside Ms Tourism, Victoria Alindi. They took up from a previous office that seems not to have done baby steps for the well-being of the hill(s). It was his time to tell us how.

So it was Geoffrey who said that he was going to support ideas that would rebrand the hills, call in increased participation and in the long run put Vihiga on the map. Imagine a reforested trail, a cycling path along, a hill to hill rail lift, electronic boards....and whatever you thinking about... Even as you plan to (re)visit.

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