The Tachoni people are one of the tribes occupying the Western and the Riftvalley regions of Kenya sharing land with the Abaluhyia, Sabaots of western and Kalenjins of the Riftvalley regions respectively. They share boundaries with the Bukusu,Kabras, Nandi and the Sabaots but widely spread out in Kenya as far as Tambach in Kerio valley, Nandi, kericho and even Mount kenya. They're also across the border to Tanzania where by one if their subgroups are there [Saniak]. They're known for their gallant defense of the Chetambe in 1895 while resisting the British rule. Tachoni people were masters of forts building such as Chetambe, Lumboka, and Kiliboti.[1] It was their defiance of colonialism that led to the colonial government putting the entire region occupied by the Tachoni under administration of paramount chiefs drawn from the Banyala and Wanga communities since they were great resistance of the colonialists and later were forced to be merged into the luhyia community which simultaneously was a group of people who had same identies from the congo basin. Most of Tachoni lands were kept under state ownership by the colonial leadership e.g lands formerly known as white settlement schemes in former Lugari and Likuyani districts which are currently forest reserves. This was done to surpress the group and divide their unity, this being the reason why The Tachoni people lack their original lands as compared to most of the tribes in Kenya even though they're as many as other tribes in Kenya. Their division lead to extinguishment of their original language thus lead to them aquiring new breeds especially from their neighbors. Each Tachoni in different regions in the country speak different dialects to each other since they lost theirs during the colonial ruling. Sharing the land with the Abanyala, the Kabras,[2] Nandi They live mainly in Webuye, Chetambe Hills, Ndivisi (of Bungoma County) Matete sub-county-Lwandeti, Maturu, Mayoyo, Lukhokho, Kiliboti, Kivaywa, Chepsai,[3] and Lugari sub-county in Kakamega County. Most Tachoni clans living in Bungoma speak the ' Olutachoni dialect of the Luhya language after their main dialect was fought down by the white settlers for they had resisted the whites administration. They spread to Trans-Nzoia County especially around Kitale,Kiminini, Tongaren and to Uasin Gishu County near Turbo, Soy,Ziwa, Kachibora, Moiben, Eldoret. Among the Tachoni clans are Abachikha -further divided into Abakobolo, Abamuongo, Abachambai,Abamakhanga, Abacharia, and Abakabini, Abamarakalu, Abangachi -who are further divided into: Abawaila, Abakhumaya and Abawele, Abasang'alo, Abasamo, Abayumbu (mostly around Webuye), Abaluu, Abarefu,Abanyangali, Abamuchembi, Abamakhuli, Abasioya, Abaabichu,Abacheo, Abamachina,Abaengele, Abamutama, Abakafusi, Abasonge, Abasaniaka, Abaabiya also known as Abakatumi (Abamuumbwa, Abachikolati and Abamuruli), Abakubwayi,Abakamutebi, Abakamukong, Abamweya, Abalukulu,Abawande, Abatukiika, Abachimuluku.[4] Note that the morpheme 'aba' means 'people'. The Abakhusia/abasamo of Kabras are also Tachonis who speak Kikabras. Abayumbu and Abaluu are twin brothers, hence do not intermmary.[5]


The community members trace their origin to a place called El-Matruh, Egypt (Misri), From Egypt, the followed the Nile where they met the first and second groups of the kalenjins at different times and came together as one group down into the present day Kenya but upon reaching suam region in Kenya, they divided. The kalenjins went eastwards while the Sabaots and Tachonis' went westwards to occupy the lands at the slopes of Mt Elgon. Later on, the Tachoni people again left the Sabaots and moved down the slopes of the mountain to occupy the wide unoccupied western region but promised to be back hence the name Tachoni pronounced as ta-cho-nee by the kalenjins meaning we're going but shall come back.[6] Important areas on the Tachoni migration route include Sirikwa, which is referred to mostly by the scholars to link Tachoni and Kalenjin ethnic group.[7]

It is important to note that, histiorically, the Tachoni people were known by different names. Some of the names include the Kitoki, Kitosh, Evekwe-those from the East, Sirikwa, and Tashone.[8]

Most of the Tachonis'are widely spread across the country since they were scattered by the British colonialism and thus lacking a proper ancestral lands were captured and taken by the whites forcingthem to flee and find some other places to live though by then all the lands were already occupied by the inflow of the migration effects. The colonial leadership ensured they scattered these people so as to break their unity that had led to great resistance at the chetambe hills.

It's difficult to estimate their numbers but according to history, it's stated that they were the largest group occupying the western region of Kenya before the entry of the bagisu who're now Bukusus into the land.

Note: Tachoni people are not luhyias nor kalenjins.

Tachonis'trace their ancestry from Egypt while luhyias trace theirs from congo basin. Kalenjins and Tachonis'share most of their things together as it is noted during migration, Tachoni met the first kalenjin groups at white Nile and came together up to some regions of Omo where they both settled till the second group came and proceeded together into Kenya.

Later they separated at a region near Kitale where some kalenjin groups moved downwards to the Uasin-gishu region while others went upwards to Mt Elgon. Those who went upwards included the Tachonis' with them which later remained at the mountain slopes while Tachonis' moved to occupy the entire western region which was by then unoccupied.

Politically,The Bukusu who're linked to bagisu of Uganda were introduced into Kenya to finnish the Tachoni people. Luhyia community was formed to kill the Tachoni people. Tachoni people have managed to survive ages but unfortunately lost their linguistic identity thus mistakenly to Luhyias but are of Nilo-cushitic group of the northern part of Africa. Assimilation has made the public to misunderstand the facts. It will take a hard way and act to reclaim the Tachoni people who have already lost everything including ancestry lands, dialect spoken, Naming and as we're speaking they only hold on a culture which is slowly fading.

Let the new generation Tachonis' trace their ancestry and teach their children for this tribe to prosper as other tribes.


N/B: The Kenyan government should recognize The Tachoni people as an independent group of people, give back their lands and make sure they resettle down on their ancestral lands which are now forest reserves as like other tribes in Kenya do.

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  1. bilmiah bii.

Circumcision

The tribe is rich in beliefs and taboos. The most elaborate cultural practice they have is circumcision.

The Tachoni practice circumcision in August of every even year. When the boys are circumcised, they go hunting in the village's forest for birds and guineafowl (likhanga), and a meal is prepared for them when they return in the evening. Most meals for initiates are rich in protein and Ugali (a staple-food across Kenya, which is called 'Obusuma' in Tachoni) in order to replace blood lost during the circumcision.

The Tachoni tribe believe in 'okhulicha' (rites of passage [the training of initiates in adult roles before they are considered to be adults]). The boys are taken to 'Esitabicha' where they are taught adult behavior.[9] They are told secrets of the community which they are not to reveal to anyone. This is done by elderly members of the Tachoni community who have undergone the same ritual. They are taught Tachoni beliefs, philosophy, values and practices.

After the rite of passage, Okhulicha, the initiates are assigned an age set, which follow a particular order, based on the year of circumcision. The Tachoni age sets are as follows(taking into account the year of circumcision and the name of the age set): Bakolongolov1900-1910; Bakikwameti 1912–1922; Bakananachi 1924–1934; Bakinyikeu 1936–1946; Banyange 1948–1958; Bamaina 1960–1970; Bachuma 1972–1986; Basawa1988-1998; Bakolongolo 2000–2010; and Bakikwameti 2012–2022.[10][11]

The Tachoni and Bukusus share naming of age sets,[12] but several key factors differentiate the Tachoni and Bukusu circumcision rituals. For instance, during circumcision, Tachoni boys face towards the East as they are circumcised whereas Bukusu boys face the West.

Economy

The Tachoni practice farming as well as the rearing of cattle. A few engage in business.

Politics

Notable politicians[13] among the Tachoni include John Chikati, Nabii Nabwera- current MP for Lugari Constitueny,[14] Martin Wanyonyi Pepel- current MP for Webuye East Constituency,[15] Alfred Wekesa Sambu of Webuye, Dr. Noah Wekesa of Kwanza in Trans Nzoia, long-serving Councillor & Webuye Mayor and Current Minority Leader Kakamega County Assembly - John Mweyi Ngome, Amos Kaburu[Educationist],Nabii Nabwera {Council of Governors} and John Weyusia Nanyakha (the first Mihuu Ward Member of County Assembly). Those who have died include: Johnstone Welangai - former Malava large constituency and former high commissioner of Kenya to Uganda; Joshua Mulanda Angatia, former minister for health and member of parliament for Malava constituency;[16] Munialo Matianyi, the first Chief of Mawe Tatu and a close confidant of Alfred Wekesa Sambu; former minister of state and secretary general of KANU Burudi Nabwera, Dr Noah Wekesa - former minister for tourism and wildlife and chairman of Jubilee Party; and Professor Everret Standa - a former vice chancellor of Kenyatta University and chairman of the commission of higher education.

Peter Buruti Sifuma Namisi,Jonathan Welangai Masinde- former member of parliament for Lurambi North,[17] & Burudi Nabwera are the legends of Tachoni politics. Don't forget Wasike Binyenya (omumwalie)as well.

Wasilwa se-Wekesa, chairman of Tachoni Cultural Society (TACUSO) is also a notable figure in Tachoni community.[18]

Dialects

Tachoni people speak different dialects basing on their geographical location in the country. Since they were scattered and displaced from their original lands, they had to settle among different tribes thus had to drop their dialects and adopt to the new dialects used by their hosts.

Those living among the luhyia tribes speak a dialect close to those of the west known as olutachoni while those living among the kalenjins in Tambach, Nandi and kericho they do speak a kalenjin dialect too.

See also

  • Tachoni people
  • The Tachoni history

References

  1. ↑ "About Tachoni People | The Web of God's Tachoni". olutachoni.com. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  2. ↑ Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
  3. ↑ "About Tachoni People | The Web of God's Tachoni". olutachoni.com. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  4. ↑ Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
  5. ↑ Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
  6. ↑ Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
  7. ↑ M., Nakitare, Maurice S. (1989). The origins, migration and settlement of the Tachoni : an account of oral traditions. University of Nairobi, Dept. of History. OCLC 654704400.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
  9. ↑ Kakai, Pius Wanyonyi (1995). "Cultural Aspects and Social Integration: A Study of Tachoni Initiation Ritual Ideas". Transafrican Journal of History. 24: 216–223. ISSN 0251-0391. JSTOR 24328666.
  10. ↑ Kakai, Pius Wanyonyi (1995). "Cultural Aspects and Social Integration: A Study of Tachoni Initiation Ritual Ideas". Transafrican Journal of History. 24: 216–223. ISSN 0251-0391. JSTOR 24328666.
  11. ↑ "Luhya social and cultural Heritage – Bukusu Circumcision and Ageset | TAMBUA AFRICA NEWS". Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  12. ↑ Wanyonyi., Kakai, Pius (1995). Cultural aspects and social integration: a study of Tachoni initiation ritual ideas. OCLC 770668174.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Battle for the Tachoni vote intensifies as Wangamati, Lusaka angle for a share". Nation. 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  14. ↑ "HON. NABII NABWERA DARAJA | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  15. ↑ "Search for Martin Wanyonyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  16. ↑ "Joshua Mulanda Angatia – The High School Head who called out corruption in the Cabinet – Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board". cabinets.kenyayearbook.co.ke. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  17. ↑ OBARE, -JUMA KWAYERA AND OSINDE. "Former Lurambi North MP Jonathan Masinde dies in Eldoret". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  18. ↑ "Why Tachonis are demanding the Bungoma Senate seat". Nation. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
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