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Saturday, May 18, 2024

KALER PEOPLE

 KALER PEOPLE 

The Kaler are another branch of Konyango Rabala sub-clan. Like the Kadem, they are settled in Nyatike district, and mainly based in the two villages of Kiasa and Olasi at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. However, the Kaler or Kalir cultural group does not come directly under Onyango Rabala, the son of Chwanya. They originally came from Kawango, and therefore, bear no relation to the Konyango clan. Their ancestor, Lir, was assimilated by Onyango Rabala in Uyoma Peninsula before they crossed the gulf to their present areas and his descendants among the Joka Chwanya became known as Kaler. The oral traditions reveal that Kaler belong to Jo-Sakwa group which came directly from Western Kenya and settled around present Bondo and Madiany areas. The word "sakwa" means a mixture of people who cannot settle down "sakini" or "yogini"; meaning they were rushing down to the lake as they migrated from the hills beyond Maseno to establish themselves along the lakeshore, where they could gain access to the lake. Their authentic name was Joka Wanga (Kawango) . 

The people of Kaler crossed the lake and landed at Mirunda Bay. Upon their arrival, they migrated through Lambwe valley, traveling until they reached Kanyamwa escarpment. As a result of sporadic warfare and other long standing disputes as they stayed together with the Kanyamwa people, led by Owuonda from Kadem, the people of Kaler moved to seek settlement in the present Sori Bay areas, and eventually ended up in the southern parts of Nyatike.  

Some clans of the Kamageta people also evolved among the Kaler, especially the Kaluambe and Kamgunga. Elder Mageta died in Mageta Island. His son Abuya, who was also named after him, sailed on date palms with his brothers and came to Uyoma in the settlement of Sakwa people, notably Kaler. They stayed there but one day they disagreed with his brother Raya. He took refuge in the papyrus along the lakeshore where he lived on raw fish and stealed upon Lir's goats and suck their breast. In the end, Lir made him his herds boy and later married for him; his wife Nyakwasi gave birth to Mikuaya and Abuor, and these two sons, particularly Abuor, gave birth to Luambe and Migunga.

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