Ancient times speak of the power of people but few tell the story of how these people used what they had to make things happen.
One thing that was considered powerful was drums. Drums that after a time became popular in warfare and as a way of communication.
Drums are especially important in the exodus narrative of the Bukusu tribe of the Abaluhya community.
Before the drums there were raids every so often. If it wasn’t the Bamia tribe of the Teso community, it was the Abanyala of the western Kenya lake or the Maa warriors of Uasin Gishu. All three were superior in the art of victorious warfare. All three were common enemies of the Bukusu who would always fall to their raids.
The aftermath of all attacks was the same: destroyed crops, burnt houses, women kidnapped and forced into marriage and ultimately tribe dispersion.
Mukite son of Nameme was a small boy from the Bukusu tribe who witnessed his parents death when the Teso attacked his people. He was taken as a refugee where he continued to grow conscious of the trials his people were facing. In time he grew into a formidable man of height and great strength, ideal to be a warrior in battle.
Secretly he trained himself in the art of fighting but for public display among the Teso, he showed his prowess at drumming.
Drums.
The connection between his palms and the goat skin that lined the top of the drum was undisputed. Mukite loved playing his drum so much that he thought that perhaps he could unite his people through his drum.
The idea planted a seed and when the Teso warriors had gone off for another raid, Mukite planned his own mission. He set off with his drum and started beating it as he walked.
It is not known whether the beat he played was familiar to the Bukusu or whether he had sent word to villages in different parts of the land but as Mukite walked and drummed, people joined in one by one – all Bukusu. He rallied an exodus from different parts and brought them together in an secret location where he did something even more brave.
Together the Bukusu were trained in warfare and Mukite was chosen as the tribe’s leader. He valiantly led his people into battle starting with the Teso – their worst enemy. The Bukusu singlehandedly defeated them. One victory led to another against the Abanyala and eventually the Maa of Uasin Gishu.
The Bukusu were able to avenge the death of those who had lost their lives in previous battles. They were able to reclaim their rightful land but more importantly revered Mukite son of Nameme for his bravery and unexpected leadership. His people were now free.
But then there’s the drums. The sounds that initiated an exodus. The drums only Mukite could play in such a way that unity was brought forth. Till this day, Mukite’s bravery and ability to unite the Bukusu people is a tale told with pride among the inhabitants of Western Kenya.