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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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Joel Litu, near half century AD.

Joel Litu's Oral Genealogy is that he was begotten by Majani. Majani that had two sons, Philip Masia and Joel Litu. Majani the son of Ogesi. Ogesi that begot three sons. Mukonye, Majani and Iravuha. Mukonye went to iRwanda (Munoywa). Iravuha at (waOndeyo) while Majani settled at iChamasiri. Ogesi was the son of Mugwambo. Mugwambo of Rungusia sub-clan. Rungusia of Gamuguywa clan. Gamuguywa of muKirima larger clan. Kirima of muRogori. 

Gamuguywa had two sons. Rugiri and Gisirimi. Rugiri begot Gwavi, Mahiva, Nderema and Mondu. Gisirimi begot two sons; Musumba and Rungusia. Musumba begot vaRundanya, vaNgomba and vaRwangare. Rungusia begot Riuva, Sege, Anzage, Kivavi and Mwiru. From mwandu, the locally pseudo temperamental vaMakure. 

Jaruha, muMigango, was the wife of Majani. Mother to Litu. 

In 1911, with Litu almost 20 years, just circumcised in the 1910 Kegedi age-set, he joined the started Quaker missionary school at Mbale. Yohana Amugune, pioneer teacher and newly converted to Quaker faith was one of the teachers there. He would reccomend Litu to Emory Rees, a missionary who wanted to translate the Bible to 'Luluhyia.' It would then be the history we have at present. 

Emory was based at Vihiga. A land previously owned by Church Missionary Society (CMS) - Anglicans. They would leave and set their mission at Maseno. A helpful hand, Litu would move to Vihiga with his wife, Marita Kekoi. MuYonga. One elder child had been born C. 1913, Joseph Adede. Perchance, Vihiga was the area home of Marita. Something that raised eyebrows among the strong Maragori culture and customs observers. The rest of the 11 children, 9 sons and 3 daughters, Joel Litu begot them in his thirty plus years at Vihiga mission. 

He first built a big thatched house on his return to Mbale in 1943. He did not settle at the land of his father but a few metres to the west, near wa Ondeyo. On his come back, he had grandchildren with him. Later he would build the modern and presently standing brick house in the archtecturial design of many houses in the time. Joseph Adede, the eldest son had migrated to Sirwa Yala, occupying the land that belonged to Dr. Bell, a white settler. Two sons would get back to iChamasiri. The last born remained at home, the late Arthur Webb. The rest on lands near and away. 

Litu's children, elites of the time, because of school that did set new standards in the society, like all other early converts, were in a caste of their own. There are several instances where pioneer members' children intermarried in organized ways. Remembering that organized marriage was still existing in traditional sphere. This did maintain a glass ceiling of the elite ones in the community which would be broken by others who married from 'pagan homes'. 

Litu had done a good job. Won himself a crown down the heavenly alley. But his heart was still beating, there were other activities to immerse in other than Biblical errands. He had assisted Ford at Lugulu to translate the Bible and teach alike, and he was ripe for more tasking works. And this was by the promulgation of the court system to have magistrates countrywide. For Mbale, Litu was the chosen one. In 1948 there, he started his court work. For a year at Mbale and then transferred to Mumias. It is said that the Wanga wondered how corrupt free he was. Unlike others who took bribes!  In 1966, on confirment of a Certificate of Meterorius Service, he retired. A decade later, he died. 

His house is presently multi-lented to tenants, in the booming rental housing for the increasing urban migration, people working in Mbale. He lies a few metres away, facing the East, under a tombstone donated by Friends United Mission. It is clean and well maintained. For single room seekers it can be a great opportunity to get a room there and sleep under the roof of Litu, who sings with angels yonder. A house that otherwise would be hosting relics and remain conserved for public visits and educational tourism. 

There are bats that like the trees of the compound. There are seasons that they migrate. And completely the village is quiet from their chirps. Till a time comes and they again perch in wights, heads below, dropping both droppings and weak branches. An inquisitive sight to any visitor.

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