Forged on the plains and valleys of Esengeli were rare skills of blacksmithery. From Bamwaya, Bang’ale, Bamuyonga, Baafu, Bakolati and Baleyi clans, emerged steadfast elite ironmongers with extreme talent in forging weapons, cultivation tools and wearables from iron, copper and brass among other metals. Esengeli (land of iron slag) was where the community revived the iron trade after Ethiopians drove them out of Lake of Nabibia region (L.Turkana).
Some of the wearables, still held by community veterans today, included echucheli (copper earing), bichenje (ankle bells), sikhabala (non-iron waist strap), kumukasa (copper bracelet), kumunyuli (anvils), and birere (brass armlet) among others. Apart from producing souvenirs for trade, they also produced an assortment of arsenal meant to reinforce the community’s defenses. Weapons made by community’s elite smiths included embalu (sword), wamachari (short spears), engabo (shield), Lisaakha or lifumo (long spear) and arrows and bows.
Indeed, with such immense talent, the Babukusu were a strong military force feared beyond hills and valleys. Besides, the community was always in command of accomplished military commanders who triumphantly steered them at war time. The few available history rememberers give notable figures such as Mukisu Lufwalula (Omuyemba), Mukite wa Nameme (Omumutilu), Wangamati wa Wabwile (Omukipemuli), Maelo wa Khaindi (Omulunda), Wakoli khwa Mukisu (Omuyemba), Kikiyi wa Weswa ( Omubuulo), Lumbasi we Kangabasi (Omutecho) and Wele wa Kasawa (Omukimweyi) among others.
And yet they were not alone. Side by side, the community was endowed with a rare crop of diviners, future tellers and medicine men and women that gave the critical advice on war. They gave a final word such as postponing wars or giving the greenlight for the mission. Since they could foretell events, their blessings were crucial to the success of the battle. Dominant names here include such as Mutonyi wa Nabukelembe (Omuyitu), Maina wa Nalukale (Omukitang’a), Sing’uru (Omumuki), Wachiye wa Naumbwa (Omukwangwa), Khakula (Omumeme) and lately Elijah wa Nameme and Joash wa Lumoli.
WHY DID BABAAYI ENGAGE IN WARS?
Throughout their migration patterns, Babukusu would encounter many communities who would end up being allies or rivals. Struggle for resources was the central reason why wars happened in the day. Traditionally, Omubukusu was omwayi and omulimi (crop-grower and animal keeper). It’s why in some biilayo (oaths), some clans refer to themselves as ‘Efwe babaayi be Silikwa’ or ‘Babaayi be Embayi’ (We descend from our ancestor who kept lots of cattle at Silikwa/Embayi). Additionally Omubukusu would grow traditional vegetables such as esaka and enderema among others while keeping cattle, sheep, goats and chicken.
To their disadvantage, other Barwa (Kalenjin) communities such as Baruku, Bayobo, Balaku, and even Bamia (Iteso) were traditionally nomadic preying on Bukusu cattle, pastures and crops. Often times, conflicts occurred over lands when incoming communities would seek forceful occupation of existing lands. Such behavior would prompt Babukusu elders to resort to a military action.
Likewise, Babukusu could also wedge war against fellow sub-nations in the Luhyia umbrella. Notable wars include the Battle of Port Victoria (with Banyala) when Mukite wa Nameme beat the war drum in 1822. Again, Babukusu would fight with Banyifwa of Enyanja ya Walule such as the Battle of Rondo where Bukusu suffered a great defeat. In Old Bukusu, Banyifwa or Balatang’eni denotes Luo Nyanza known as Bajaulo in modern dialects. However, the most frequent fights involved Babaayi (Babukusu) and Barwa Barandukhe (Kalenjin and Maasai) who adopted similar migration patterns from Esibakala (Southern reaches of modern day Misri/Egypt).
PREPARATION FOR WAR
It is important to outline that definite clans, known as war clans, had the leading role of military organizations. The clan elders had the role of recruiting new warriors mainly conducted in the forest through various ways such as hunting of blood-hungry leopards in the dark forests. The older warriors taught new warriors fighting skills such as hand combat and use of spears swords and poisoned arrows.
They could also be taught in formation making and varied attacking patterns based on the geopolitical knowledge of the enemy camps. For instance, following the battle of Wachonge, they would learn to fight behind the sun’s rays getting an upper hand over the enemies. It is to be remembered that ancient way of life involved living in large forts housing various clans and families. The new entrants would also be trained to carry out covert spying missions and quick response maneuvers such as abrupt enemy attacks in the forts.
On the D-day, the warriors could sharpen their tools thoroughly like the way Mango did while preparing to face the monstrous dragon. That night, they would smear themselves with oil from Kumutoba (red ochre) for camouflage. They would put on short cloaks (lulware) and don their ankle bells (bichenje).
They would sing all night while smoking bhang rolls to build up psyche. If they kept vigil secretly, they would carry dry stems of Kumufwora tree and sticks from Kumwarakumba through which they would make fire through friction. Early before day-break, they would make way towards the enemy homestead, under the command of their leader.
Very peculiar of the Bukusu warriors, they believed in the gentleman’s war. As they approached the homestead, they would shout, “Elale” (Barwa’s word for ‘Are you ready?’). After the enemy announced that they are ready, they would storm in and dish their share of fury to the host. If the host declined that they were not ready, they would give ample time for them to prepare, even returning back to fight another day. They believed that ungentleman’s war was unethical and dealt undue disadvantage to the enemy. Even, in fighting they would spare and capture women and children. Such a standpoint would change when they faced the Battle of Wachonge (upcoming narration) from which they swore to slay Bamia to the last.
THE MILITARY ORGANIZATION
Mukite wa Nameme was a steadfast military commander who revived official organization of military. The four main distinctions were:
1. Bayoti: These were the scouts and intelligence gatherers. They were proficient in the art of disguise as lost orphans, hunger-stricken immigrants or seekers of potential suitors. They were tasked with analyzing and reporting the status of the enemy forts including number of fighters, how organized and armory locations among others. In some cases, Bukusu girls were ‘intermarried’ in enemy communities with sole purpose of spying before war. Wise military commanders knew that intelligence was critical to war.
Recallable Bayoti included Machote and Wabomba wa Mahaya (Bachemwile), Wabukala wa Malaba (Omuyemba), Walubengo and Silali (Bakimweyi), Watiila (Omukitang’a) and Maelo wa Khaindi (Omulunda).
2. Elamali: These comprised of the vanguard (forerunners) in the attack. They were determined pioneer warriors who would break enemy lines and distort the enemy formation. They would fight tirelessly, ready to give their lives to the service of the community.
3. Eng’ututi: They formed the rear guard. They had two main tasks: offer reinforcement to Elamali as they weakened in the battle and forming a formidable barrier to finish off the enemy. The group also composed of healers who attended to injured warriors and collect bodies of fallen warriors for descent burial if need be.
4. Special Unit of Baebini: This was a deadly troop of high-skilled warriors also called the interceptors. The name Baebini correlates with babini (night runners). Baebini could come in when the enemy least expected. They were the ‘special forces’ best of the best. They were agile and specialized in distracting or decapitating the enemy within a short time. For instance, they would hide of Kimifutu trees and spear the enemy while passing underneath, would destroy bridges to hinder enemy movement, or shoot lethal arrows from far away in hidden positions.
Notable lieutenants here include Malemo of Bakibayi and his brother Wasilwa, Kasembeli wa Mulaa (Omukwangwachi), Wetayi (Omuleyi) and Siundu wa Bulano (Omumisi).
Next, we'll talk about the Battle of Wachonge. It’s a rare chance into practicalities of war and how the event changed the Bukusu fighting landscape; from a gentleman’s fight to the most lethal fighting ever witnessed.
A story is good, until another one is told...
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