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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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The Ndasia

With Umutu at his home in Vihiga.

Ndasia includes the Ndanyi,  what we posted here awhile ago. Saying that Elisha Ndanyi the son of Matayo Ndanyi the son of Mudave, the son of Ndasia settled at iGavalagi. It is Mudave who settled at iGavalagi leaving his brother, Ang'undu mu chani, iGavagavo village, Vihiga.  This is because Ang'undu was youngest and the custom agreed so. The mother to the two was Sarano, muKizungu (unrecalled sub clan).

Ang'undu was a farmer who took his vegetables to Kiboswa and Kisumu. And one day while at the market, the then PC (name to be included in editing) did like his goods. From there, Ang'undu was tasked to be delivering indigenous vegetables to him, baptised Haruni, an activity that he was very dedicated to. Ang'undu died in 1989 with approximately 114 years joining his father, Ndasia in the spirit world. And even his grandfather whom it is said he got his name from.

Ang'undu, with his wife, Dina Ing'ahizu, mukana muTemburi begot Timothy Ndasia, Alfayo Marage, Zakaria Rubang'a, Elisha Mudave and Gerishom Umutu, five sons. Umutu the youngest was born in 1939. Except Alfayo Marage who bought land at iJivogi, migrated, died and was buried there, the other four are found at iGavagavo. With Umutu the one alive.

Gracely alive, Umutu is then the stand alone grandchild of Ndasia. The rest are past. When his day comes, just as the hierarchies of old, three generations from Ang'undu the elder will have passed. Now, he is not only celebrated by clan as a great great grandfather to children at home, but also as a grandfather to people in their ripe ages as Joseph Ndanyi. Umutu is an immediate cousin to Joseph Ndanyi's grandfather.

Umutu has very few 'clan mates' around. He can name them. He says that most are gone. There is non (alive) in the clan he could call udada. But a couple, brothers by clan. Tom Vugisa of iGogwa village, William Engoke of   iMaziguru to name but a few are his brothers in the clan. Other brothers, though late include Imbuji the grandfather of Arthur Luvai, Iravusa the grandfather of Philemon Indire and the three sons of Rubang'a, the one he'd call Father, Arenga, Kagasi and Ngana.

Closer home, Umutu calls the late Mwingisi Kisia from eVokori mwana weve. And my father calls Kisia dada. It would go that I am chisukuru cha Umutu, fourth away.

Service to vaSaniaga, Umutu has been actively involved in Saniaga affairs from long ago. He  still has the names, preserved, of those who attended Saniaga meetings from as early as mid nineties. He recalls how helpful Saniaga was in advocating for education. He remembers also how Philemon Indire, grandson by clan, gave him an opportunity to work in civil service. Good times that now as he sits at home, he recalls. Not to say he is inactive for he serves at Ikumba church and also a chairperson to Saniaga Welfare Best SHG at Majengo. He appreciates kin talks and visits, saying that avura rimanya nu musiru, encouraging people to grow up with desire to grasp their identity and advance it.

/-With Thanks
saniaga.org
saniaga.blogspot.com
info.saniaga@gmail.com

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