17/04/2024
HISTORY OF THE MARACHI COMMUNITY CHAPTER (1)
The Marachi are one of 24 sub tribes of the Luhya people of Kenya. Nestled between the Samia, Khayo and Wanga, the Marachi occupy a land area comparatively smaller than the other Luhya tribes in Busia District. In their native Luhya language, the people of Marachi are known as Abamarachi, their land Bumarachi or Ebumarachi and their dialect Lumarachi. Marachi land is divided into East, West, Central, and North Marachi locations.
Significant town in Marachi is Butula and Bumala. Marachi land has several villages namely; Elukongo, Emauko, Siribo, Bumala "A", Bumala "B", Esikoma, Simuli, Bulwani, Matsanza, Bumakhudu, Bwaliro, Lunyiko, Siamakondi, Emakwara, Mafubu, Kalalani, Tingolo, Bumutiru, Ibanda, Buyayi, Sirandala, Nyapera, Masenjekho, Butunyi, Igula, Burinda, Bujumba, Kingandole, Khunyangu, Buhuyi, Bukhalalire, Busiada, Bumagunda, Namusala, Enakaywa, Madola, Khareka, Mung’ambwa, Bulemia, Emagombe, Emalomba, Lugulu, Bukuyudi Elara, Sibembe, Bukhwaku, Bumina, Echengo, Siroba, Khulunyu, Dadira, Namwitsula, Busire, Buriya, Busibula, Masebula, Isongo, Nango, Bulindo.
There clans included Ababere, Abafofoyo, Abamuchama, Abatula, Abamurono, Abang’ayo, Ababule, Abamulembo, Abatelia, Abapwati, Abasumia, Abarano, Abasimalwa, Abakwera, Abamutu, Abamalele, Abakolwe, Ababonwe, Abamucheka, Abaliba, Ababirang’u,Abakolwe, Abade, Abasubo.
Abamarachi are a conglomeration of the above-mentioned clans who were under the leadership of Ng’ono Mwami in pre-colonial days. The name Marachi is derived from Ng’ono Mwami’s father, who was called Marachi, son of Musebe, the son of Sirikwa. So, all the Marachi clans owed their allegiance to Ng’ono Mwami, from whose lineage of Ababere clan they were founded. The name Marachi was given further impetus by the war-like lifestyle of the descendants of Ng’ono, who ruthlessly fought off the Luo expansion of the Jok Omollo, a Nilotic group that sought to control the Nzoia and Sio Rivers in the area.