Written by Fredric Juma Read 271008 Times

 The Kabras

The Abakabras people from Kabras who are mainly concentrated around the great Malava area, just outside Kakamega region. They are famously known as Abakabarasi, Abalasi or Abakabras. It is believed that their ancestor was called Munyala.

Munyala was a great man and he had two sons, Muhongo and Mukhulu (Shikhulu). Mukhulu lived at Mulubembe near Mbale in Uganda. He died at Tororo where he and his brother Muhongo separated, the latter moving farther to the west.

Mukhulu was the father of Nangwira. Nangwira was the father of Masha; father of Chenye; father of Chisakati; father of Kabuko; father of Mucheluli; father of Chibwire; father of Kole; father of Muchanja; father of Ndoone.

The Origin

History indicates that the ancestors of the Abalasi or Abakabaras or abakabras originally came from Judea in Bethlehem. They then settled in Egypt where the rest of the Abaluyia people also lived before settling to where they are today.

After leaving Egypt for some time they left and went to went to Karamoja a famous place in Sudan and then later went to Eyembe near Mbale in Uganda where they found the Sebeyi and the Bagishu.

They did not stop there they moved on to Tororo, Mumias, Isongo in Wanga (Mukulu), Emusire, and thence to the Bunyala Forest. All these places were uninhabited and were only dominated by thick forests at the time.

After leaving Emusire they went to Mwihune near Ingotse and thence to Burundu in South Kabras then also uninhabited. They moved on to Maundukunyu in South Kabras, Sambuli’s, Chibole’s, and then to Mushiruku, all in South Kabras. Then they went to Bachekulo and Chiriboti in North Kabras which were also uninhabited. They gradually dispersed and spread out.

Their nature

They were very peaceful people though they once fought with the Teso as a result of cattle raids. This was near Tororo in Uganda. At that time they were in transit to Mumias. The fought with determination and defeated the Teso.

They also fought with the Ababukusu near Watoya’s but soon made peace. You know the Bukusus don’t like war and they hate any site of blood. Other wars were fought at Mulombi near Mukayi in South Kabras with the Nandi and the Purko Masai. The Abalasi were defeated badly.

The enemies used to come to raid their cattle. They also fought with the Abanyala at Emusire (Bunyala Forest) and defeated them; then the Abalasi retreated. The Abesukha were also defeated at Mulukume in South Kabras.

MYTHS AND BELIEVES

The Abakabaras believed that the outcome of an undertaking that will happen in the near future could be foretold by omens or portents.

1. If someone sets out tom see someone from somewhere over an important matter and while on the way he or she hears a bird singing on the on his or her left, it is regarded as ominous and he or she had to return home.