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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

The Chamwama

A wall picture taken from the house of Chabuga Mahelo during interview
Found at Gamalenga, the Chamwama descendants are believed to have originated from Navuyi (Gisambai), went South to Jepkoyayi, later at Zavoroji, before moving to occupy what had been earlier a Luo territory, Gamalenga.

Rirege (L'lege) is believed to have been the father of Chamwama, Anyura and Amadaywa. Chamwama would then have four wives; Rizururu, Mbereso, Musimbi and Mudasia. From whom he begot Sayia, Vodohi, Chabuga, Marongo and Masingira. All but the latter found at Zavoroji, the rest are at Gamalenga. It is Chabuga, born 1878, christened as Saul, that founded African Divine Church. He is also the grandfather of the present Arch Bishop, ADC, John Sayia.

Chabuga would begot Mahero, Rirege and Inzai. His daughters were Vurimu, Agusi, Mugasia and Ahuri. Their mother, Chabuga's wife, Elia Ngano, muTemburi.

Mahero, of the above, would beget two sons, Chamwama Julius and Mahero John.  And 14 daughters.

John Mahero got children and grandchildren. Same as those he call brothers, sisters and cousins in the said family tree. Some spread far and away. Soi and Uganda.

It is only a few metres from Gamalenga (Boyani) to Nyahera, a Luo land. There was good collaboration between the early Chamwama's with Luos in the neighborhood in forcing Vatwa (Nandi) to go further East as they occupied the area and now a huge chunk of Aldai. But Leadership would continue being from the Vatwa till present. This symbiotic Muraguri-Mutwa relationship pacified the national 1960's tribal clashes in the area.

There are also the Asiges and Nyangweso's of Gamalenga, Saniaga people that have a different story of migrating to Gamalenga. Nyangweso's grandfather was near Nyang'ori and he migrated to Gamalenga to become the neighbour of Saul Chabuga.

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