The history of the Abagusii people, a Bantu-speaking community in Kenya, is a tale of resilience, migration, and cultural preservation. The journey of Mogusii, their progenitor, and his descendants highlights their rich heritage and the challenges they overcame to settle in their current homeland.
Origins and Early Migration
The Abagusii trace their ancestry to Mogusii, who is considered the father of the community. Mogusii was the son of Osogo (Onsongo), who descended from Kalmeri, Kigoma, Ribiaka, and ultimately from Kintu (or Mtu/Mondo), the patriarch of the Bantu people. Their matriarch was Kimanyi Konyakoomogendi, a symbol of movement and endurance, whose name translates to “a real walker or mover.”
Initial Movement to Mount Elgon
Mogusii, along with his brothers and their extended family, migrated to Mount Masaba (Mount Elgon) along the River Nzoia. During this migration, the group noticed their numbers had dwindled. It was here that a baby girl was born while crossing the river and was named Kwamboka, meaning “crossing.”
Journey Through Gesero (Bungoma)
From Mount Elgon, the Abagusii moved to Gesero (modern-day Bungoma), where their grandfather, Osogo (Onsongo), passed away due to old age. He was buried at Mount Elgon, marking the end of one chapter in their migration.
Encounters in Bisumu (Kisumu)
The Abagusii proceeded to Bisumu (modern-day Kisumu), where they built and lived in small round huts known as ebisumu. Their stay was marred by hostility from the Luo community, prompting another migration. They crossed the Ekemunto (flat marshy area) of the River Nyando, where another baby girl, Kemunto, was born.
Significant Events in Kisumu
- Their great-grandmother, Kimanyi Konyakoomogendi, either passed away in Gesumwa, where she was left under the care of servants, or in Ekerubo Ekenerwa (Ahero) on the Kano Plains. Her death gave rise to the name Kerubo.
Mogusii’s Family and Descendants
Mogusii had five wives, whose names are reflected in the clans of the Abagusii:
- Bonareri
- Nyaboke
- Bosibori
- Bwari
- Mokeira
Brothers and Kinship
Mogusii had several brothers, each of whom contributed to the formation of different communities:
- Luhyia – Ancestor of the Luhya community.
- Gekoyo (Kikuyu) – Progenitor of the Kikuyu people.
- Momeru (Meru) – Mogusii’s twin brother and forefather of the Meru.
- Omorwanda – Founder of the Rwandan community.
- Matagaro – Whose descendants died out.
- Ong’eta (Suba) – Ancestor of the Suba people.
Their nephews included:
- Motende (Kuria/Watende)
- Mokamba (Kamba)
Settlement in Western Kenya
Sondu and Beyond
The Abagusii moved to Sondu by the Risonto (Sondu River). The area was densely covered by shrubs known as emeraa, leading to the naming of girl children born here as Moraa. From Sondu, they ventured to Masosa (Miruka/Riochanda), along the Sondu River’s Gusii side.
Challenges in Kabianga
The community’s migration to Kabianga was fraught with hardship. Here, many of their animals perished, earning the area the name “tureti ya abagaka” (denial). This forced the Abagusii to move further.
Final Movements
- Ondicho (Kericho)
- Mosoti (Sotik)
These regions marked the later stages of their migration, where they eventually settled and established their current homeland.
Cultural Significance
The journey of the Abagusii is marked by resilience and adaptation. Each phase of their migration brought challenges and opportunities, shaping their identity. The names of places and individuals—Kwamboka, Kemunto, Moraa, and Kerubo—reflect significant moments and cultural heritage that remain central to the Abagusii identity.
Legacy of the Abagusii Migration
The history of the Abagusii demonstrates their perseverance in the face of adversity. Their migration shaped not only their community but also their interactions with neighboring tribes, leaving a lasting imprint on Kenya’s cultural landscape.
