Tracing Bakoyi Cluster
Bakoyi is a clan whose roots are traced back to Barwa in the ancient migration patterns. The ancestor of Bakoyi was a Kalenjin who was assimilated into Bukusu clanal ranks as back as the fifteenth century. In fact, it is noted that Omukoyi came into Embayi Plains, way before Bamalaba-affiliated clans such as Basakali, Bakuta, Bakhonjo Babuuya and Bayemba.
History rememberers say that Omukoyi belongs to the Banabayi Cluster. All clans under Banabayi evoke the Oath of Munyole. [This blog has extensively talked about different Bukusu clusters and oaths in other episodes. However, we shall revisit.]
The word Banabayi comes from Babaayi which is a plural of omwaayi or a herder. But, far from what it means, Banabayi are no normal herders. They played a special role of ‘herding’ people. They were tasked with looking after their clansmen and those from other clans. After setting up a homestead, in a new area, for example, Banabayi were invited for thanksgiving. They would stick their spear into the ground, scoop a lump of soil and hold it skywards asking Khakaba to bless their stay of new beginning.
And such Omwanamwayi would be from the clan of Omuyaya, Omusombi, Omusekese, Omusichongoli, Omutecho, Omusime, Omukangala, Omuleyi, Omuliisa, Omuyiitu or Omukoyi- who share a common ancestry. Since then, Bakoyi have produced good leaders- babaayi be babandu. While Bakoyi were not traditionally a militarized clan such as Batukwiika taking active role in war, they formed good judges. In communities, they argued for peace, being quick to unite when cracks emerged. An Omukoyi tribesman or woman was valued in face of Khakaba and whatever they blessed did not wither. Khakaba blessed livestock, gave immense health to clansmen and every warriors prior to war. But, it was not the ‘herding’ attribute that has popularized Bakoyi in Bukusu culture; it is another trait- the love for the African elephant (Enjoli/Enjofu).
Swells into an Elephant when Provoked
In her youthful days, my grandmother’s sister narrates an ordeal in which she had a confrontation with an Omukoyi. She calls that she were not too young, about the marriageable age. Omukoyi warned her not to push him further or she will regret. Out of sheer persistence (she was on the wrong) Agneta pressed the conflict further. He then warned, telling her to meet him in the back of the hut.
Alas! Akneta could not believe it! On doing a told, she met face to face with a full grown elephant, staring at her with rage. Momentarily she had been blinded by wits from her Omukoyi relative. She was hit with fear, temporarily paralyzed, not even a grain of energy to give a scream. Abruptly, she took off, never again to engage a quarrel with him and never again to see the elephant in their homestead.
While a reader cannot make sense of what transpired, Akneta cannot me convinced otherwise. She had seen first-hand Bakoyi wits and witnessed their ability to conjure elephants.
Indeed, Omukoyi is an elephant-man!
Omukoyi: Omusolosi we Enjoli
While other clans are gifted with other powers such as circumcision, rainmaking, royalty, and giving public lectures, Omukoyi was gifted by the power of conjuring the elephants. Along with Barefu and Bakamukong’i, Bakoyi had close ties to elephants, back in the days in which the massive animals roamed the lands.
Consulted sources cannot give an exact account of how the Omukoyi-elephant relationship unfolded. Perhaps they used the mammals to commit their ancestral wits, magic and trickery. Or they, relied on the animals for tusks to make tools or their fertile dug to grow arrowroots and sweet potatoes. It is also alleged that when elephants showed up in the vicinity to feast on grown crops, Bakoyi elders would be consulted to avert the gigantic beasts, soothing their heart and driving them off.Some accounts have it that occasionally; Omukoyi herder could be spotted riding the mammals to help in control huge number of livestock being grazed. There were also gifted map-readers following elephant poop, to seek direction when lost, trail water sources and other treasures. Elephant behaviour and movements might have been also used to tell when to expect rains after a long dry spell. Reportedly, they could also be a source of medicine and/or gave items for use in divination (bulakusi). Just as Bakoyi could soften the hearts of tribesmen and women to shun fighting, resentment and conflict, Khakaba might have extended their prowess to tame the enormous beasts. Thus, to an Omukoyi clansman, an elephant was important animal. The specifics would only be known to the very elephant herders whose calming powers were admired beyond rivers and valleys. May the good heavens shower down blessings, we close and begin another year!
Lusimo: Enjofu yebubwayaya sekhusia kumusanga ta
[A reckless elephant cannot grow its tusk up to maturity]
Take good care of yourself. A reckless life will limit your potentials to maturity.
A story is good, until another is told
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