Mokuria: The Story of the Legendary Progenitor of the Abakuria

Mokuria: The Father of the Abakuria
According to oral tradition, the father of the Abakuria was called Mokuria. He had several sons from different wives.

The sons formed the major Abakuria sub-tribes such as Abanyabasi, Abatimbaru, Abanyamongo, Abakira, Abairegi, Abakenye, and the Abanchaari. They lived in a place called Misiri. The Abakuria were divided into two families: the Abasai, born of the elder wife of Mokuria and the Abachuma, born of the younger.

The Abakuria migrated from Misiri and after many years of wandering on the other side of Lake Victoria, they eventually reached and settled in present day Bukuria which bestraddles the Kenya-Tanzania border.

Mokuria was a seer, a medicine man and the law giver of the Abakuria. One of the unique customs Mokuria bestowed on his people was Nyumba Ntobu or “house of women”. Under this custom, Abakuria women were allowed to marry each other, but for a specific reason and with no romantic ties.

Nyumba Ntobu was for women who could not have children of their own so that they could still have a family.

Also under Nyumba Ntobu, an older widow who did not have any male descendants could marry a younger woman who did have or would potentially bear a son. The sons born under this custom would inherit the older woman’s land, and thus ensure that her lineage would not fade away.

Nyumba Ntobu became more common as the Abakuria population grew.

Mokuria mandated the Abakuria people to practice circumcision for both sexes at around the age of 13 with the onset of puberty. Circumcision marked a transition from childhood to adulthood. After the ceremony the boys or girls were led back home by fellow villagers amidst much singing and dancing.

Mokuria loved music, and music became a big part of Abakuria life played on instruments such as the Zeze, and the Ritungu.

In Mokuria’s story we can see how the personality of one individual can influence an entire community for generations.

Mokuria's legacy lives on
One of the instruments that the Abakuria love playing is the Zeze. Zeze is a stringed instrument from Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also known by the names tzetze and dzendze, and, in Madagascar, is called lokanga voatavo or lokango voatavo. It is similar to the violin but has one or two strings, made of steel or bicycle brake wire.