" guys, I have news for you." I said while entering the hut.
My two sons and wife sitting at the table in the main hut.
I could hear my first born daughter singing in the kitchen.
"What is it? Are you ok?" Asked my wife.
"No, I'm fine.
I have been chosen to sit in the private council of our tribe, with the leaders of the 18 clans of the luhya people.
I represent the Banyala clan."
"Congratulations, that's a big deal." She said.
"I know, right." I said turning towards my boys, one seven the other three.
"Do you know what this means boys?"
"What?" Asked the curious last born.
"It means he will be going out of the village again." answered my older boy wasike.
"No. Come on, you know it's not like that.
I have been summoned to the kings palace. Officially.
I will walk the boys from Bunyala to Wanga, his palace.
Remember the story of Prince Kamanyi who fled from Buganda kingdom to Tiriki."
Wasike said yes.
"His son Nabongo, the king, as a sign of allegiance must initiate all the boys in the ways of the luhya people. He will speak to all the boys before you go to the forest. Yeah! That's right you will be coming with me." I told wasike with the small boy as an active audience.
"I'll be going with you!?" He asked smiling.
"Yes."
"When are we going?"
"The meeting is scheduled tomorrow night, it will take us at least eight hours to get to Wanga, maybe more because of the number of boys."
"How many are we?"
"17 boys."
"What about me, why can't I come with you, I'll take care on the way, I won't cry." Said my last born at the verge of breaking down.
"I know my boy, you are the strongest person I know, but can you touch your left ear over your head with your right hand?"
He reached out, but could not touch his ear. He tried harder but could still not touch his ear.
"How does touching my ear help in the journey?"
"It does not, but you must be able to do it to enter the the kings palace." He frowned.
"My boy, never be in a hurry to grow up, we love you so, your time is not far away but until then please promise baba (dad) that your courage will continue burning in you."
"I promise."
I woke Wasike before the break of dawn, he put on his new khaki shorts then ran to the village centre, he picked up two stones and hit the gong suspended in a tree, to summon the boys. It took about 15 minutes for them to assemble, all in shorts bought from the long distance Arab and Swahili traders from the coastal region, some new others beat with time, one boy bend over to pick a stick revealing half his butt chicks poping from his torn shorts, I asked him to stand up which made the boys laugh.
"Gather around boys.
I have been awarded the honours of taking you through this historic right of passage.
The walk.
A privilege only dreamt of by my fore fathers.
The journey maybe tedious and tiresome but you know what they say about the kings palace."
A few cheers were heard.
"Are you ready for the walk?
Are you ready to make the Banyala clan proud?
Are you ready to walk to the capital?
Are you ready to meet the king?
Are you ready to shake his hand?
Are you ready for the feast?"
The questions were preceded with an ascending, yes, yes with the last being the loudest. They were ready. We had now gathered a substantial audience, most parents of the boys, some boys from last year's walk, girls observing the proceedings, wannabe walkers including my son standing in front of the mother and his two older sisters.
The mood changed when the isukuti( traditional drum) was heard, the crowd cheered, we knew what it meant.The iconic escort. The sound of the isukuti joined us in the village centre, led by the liguru(village elder appointed by the King) every one was dancing, the villagers more than the boys who just smiled. The isukuti had drawn more people to the village centre.
The Liguru spoke. Every one silent.
"My boys, Today unlike any other walk, you walk holding the destiny of the Luhya people leave alone the Banyala clan.
Your season has been chosen by the land.
Your season holds the next Ingwe."
All the boys saluted, hit the chest twice then clapped the floor with both hands. One yelled.
"You may be standing next to the next Ingwe.
Show no fear. Fear never inspire confidence.
Don't flinch, if you flinch you show fear.
Tell Mushevi I'm ready.
Tell Mushevi that your father saw you and confirmed you were a boy. Ready to be made a man.
Stand straight. Arms firm on your waist. You walk away ignorant, you will walk back informed. Go make us proud."
He was applauded. I took the lead, followed by the boys then the isukuti leading the villagers.
The soloist sang.
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye,
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye.
Msatsa Woi, lelo nabola koi,
Oh mama Woi, bilenje bichyonyi
Mama Woi, ahh woi.
Nalila.
( woe to we men, today I'll say,oh my mother, my legs are tired my mother, I cry.)
The band and the crowd joined in.
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye,
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye.
The escort took us well out of the village, singing and dancing, a few girls dancing provocatively at the boys, no one seemed to mind.
The crowd stopped, watched us as we walked several meters ahead, turned and waved back. They continued looking while singing until we were out of sight.
One boy continued to sing quietly.
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye,
Ayeyeye, Ayeyeye.