SILUNGAI WAR

 THE SILUNGAI WAR

The Great Silungai war was a series of raids and counter raids for cattle pitting the Kabras, Tachoni, Nandi and Masai covering the vast land from Sibembe in South Bukusu to Kimilili in the North upto Silungai of Kabras in pre colonial days.

The leaders and oracles of the time were Shiuma se Amondo and Chisindayi se Werabachwa of Kabras, Sifuma se Iyaya of Tachoni, Kimnyolei arap Turgat of the Nandi.

It was during this time that the Masai attacked Tachoni village of Sibembe looted cattle, women and children and drove them to Silungai into the village of one Makonjo Kiriswa.

The Tachoni organised a revenge party to reclaim their cattle from the Masai. The party was led by their great warriors of the time namely Mukambi se Mukaisi, Lusike se Chetambe, Kakai se Isoka, Weramwanja and Tundo omusioya.

They went to Mabanga where Mukambi scrubbed a spear on his chest, bled and said "tsilitsanga, vakasa, vatoro nende vamanani. Khuletuva mavanga" this means "ogres eat grown ups, children and the poor. We shall swim in blood"

Then the Tachoni warriors moved to Miendo and plucked sticks from miendo trees, then Namawanga and sang "khulakhama tsitsule mavere mawanga" this means "we will milk a lot of white milk". They crossed river Teremi now Kuywa at the cattle fort of Sawenja omukimweyi to Sirisia, then moved across river Wenyila to Malaha. At dusk they plucked branches of Milaha trees and slept on them

In the morning the warriors moved to Mikuva where they smelted iron and made more spears and swords. From Mikuva they went to Lukusi and Bakisa- which became their hiding place. Then they crossed Nzoia river to Luandeti and followed the current river Silungai to Silungai hill into the village of Makonjo Kiriswa.

Upon arrival in Silungai the Tachoni warriors noticed that Masai warriors were not thereabout as they had gone to conduct a raid in Chegulo village of Kabras and Ikonyore village of Basang'alo.

Thus the Tachoni warriors victoriously looted cattle at Silungai with much ease and drove them across river Chekalini to Lugari upto Mahanga where the Masai got up with them as they were feasting on one of the cattle they had slaughtered.

A fierce battle ensued in which the Tachoni overpowered the Masai and succesfully drove home the loot of cattle!

Oracle of Teremi