Tribal Structure

The tribe is structured is based on the clan or group, and follows closely the topography of the hills. The group would generally be known by the name of the ridge or location in which it lived but it might be known by that of the head of the original group of immigrants, from whom all the group were descended. In the early days there were frequent inter-clan clashes and inter-marriage was only allowed between friendly clans.

 

There were three age groups, Wadawana, Wandu wa Irika and Waghosi, but these groups were not highly developed nor were there elaborate initiation rites to mark the stages from one group to another. Before marriage youths were called Wadawana, and it would appear that marriage was not entered into at a premature age. At about the time of marriage, a man would be counted as Mundu wa Irika, and finally when his hair had begun to turn grey he would find himself reckoned as Mghosi.

 

Those who has the greatest influence in each clan were the Wazuri, the Wafighi and Waghanga and the Walaghui. A man did not necessarily become of these influential people in his old age, it depended upon his own inclination to be instructed in the mysteries of the particular branch in which he wanted to specialize, except in the case of the Wazuri who were the rich men, rich primarily in wives and cattle, who exercises their influence by virtue of their riches.

 

The Wafighi were responsible for seeing that land was used to the best advantage ;they apportioned land for cultivation and decided what land would be set apart for grass for thatching, for pasturage and for woodlands. They also took control in time of famine. Their powers rested in the charms and taboos with which they guarded the land.

 

The Waghanga were the doctors and also the rainmakers. They were called in to prescribe treatment in the cases of illness while the Walaghui were the diviners, who were called in on almost every occasion of sacrificial animals, or else the pattern made by seeds thrown from a gourd. They acted as the interpreters to the people of the wishes of the clan spirits. These three groups, Wafighi, Waghanga and Walaghui, enjoyed the respect of their people in contradistinction to the Wasawi, or witch-doctors, who dealt wholly in black magic and were neither liked no honoured. They practiced their craft in secret and it was only the great fear in which they kept their people that prevented them from being exterminated fro their anti-clan practices;even this thralldom was not always sufficient to restrain the clan from doing away with such pestilential individuals.

 

In various sacred groves were set apart called Mwanja, and the men who entered these groves were called Wandu wa Mwanja. Theit job was to prepare ‘’medicine’’ that would nullify the power of those who dealt with black magic. They prepared and kept their concoctions in these groves and ordinary people did not dare to enter them for ear of spells being cast upon them that would encompass their death. Sacrifices were offered in these groves in times of clan danger or deliverance. The Wandu wa Mwanja were respected for their public services but they did not have the weight in the counsels of elders by virtue of their office.

 

The only other "office- bearers" were the Wavini or the Masters of the dance. These likewise did not exercise influence in the control of the affairs of the clan, but merely held authority in their own specialized work.

 

Descent is reckoned partrillineally, and the two most important persons in a family are the mothers of the husband and wife. A man would not eat in the presence of his mother-in- law, whilst the mother’s would take a very large share in upbringing of her grand-children. Inter marriage was not allowed between cousins and the following relatives were called by special names:

 

Father- aba

 

Mother- Mao

 

Father’s brother – aba mtini

 

Father’s sister- mruna aba

 

Father;s brother’s wife- mkandee

 

Step mother- mkande

 

Mother’s brother- awuye

 

Mother’s sister- mruna mao

 

Mother’s sister’s husband –aboo

 

Step father- aba

 

Cousins on father’s side-weke mwandeo

 

Cousins on mother’s side-weke mwamao

 

Step brother or sister- mwanedu