Marama tribe (Luhya)

The Marama, also known as Abamarama, are a Luhya tribe occupying Marama Location in Kakamega District of the western province of Kenya. The town of Butere is located in west Marama and is a significant trading centre in Kakamega.

They are a calm people, welcoming and quite organized. Main activities include crop farming and small scale business. The current member of parliament (2014) for the area is Andrew Toboso, a Marama. The first Governor of Kakamega, His Excellency Opararanya, also hails from the community.

Marama people are said to have come to Kenya, through Uganda. After the collapse of the Chwezi Empire of Uganda, a man named Wamoyi migrated to Tiriki with his three sons (Wanga, Khabiakala and Eshifumbi). Wanga migrated to Emanga, Eshifumbi migrated to Emahondo (he is the ancestor of the Abamuyira and Abakakoya clans). Angulu (Wanga's nephew) migrated to Butere. His offspring founded the Abakhuli, Abashiambitsi, Abakhongo and Abaseta. Martin Shikuku was from Abarecheya. With over 40% of the population, Abamukhula is the dominant clan with several subclans and they are the “real” Abamarama. Other big clans are the Abashirotsa, Abatere, Abashieni, Abamanyulia, Abalukhoba.

The history of the Abamarama dates back to about two thousand years ago. Its origin is connected with Bukachi who lived at Ebubukachi (Kaugagi in Alego). Bukachi was the father of Wetsochi who was in turn Wamukhula’s father. Wamukhula left Ebubukachi and, following the River Lukose (Yala), eventually arrived in Marama at a place called Hebubi. It was here that he got a third son, Mutobera, the other two — one of whom was Bukachi Wesamba — having been born at Ebubukachi. After a brief sojourn at Hebubi, he came to Shihunya where he found the Abalukhambi.

He lived there for a short time and then moved on to Mwikobero which was inhabited by the Abashihongo. From there he moved on again to Mungusi where he found the Abakisiru (Abashisiru?). Once more, he moved on this time to Matsaka Shikanga where he lived for some time with his son Wesamba. Now, it so happened that while the migrants were still staying here, the local inhabitants called Abaseta plotted to assassinate Wesamba. They even invited his father Wamukhula to the meeting which was designed to make the necessary arrangements for the murder. Somehow, the news of the plot reached Wesamba through a certain woman; as a result, he ran away. When, therefore, his father came wailing (he presumed his son had actually been killed), Wesamba came forth and told him: “Do not kill anybody (revenge) for I am alive.”

As a result of all this, Wesamba separated from his father (at Matsaka) and came to Emuyundi where he lived among the Abamufumu Abamangoe. His father Wamukhula stayed behind with his (Wamukhula’s) uncle who became his elder. In the same way, Wesamba acknowledged the authority of the Abamufumu among whom he now lived.

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Wikipedia