39 The Return of Angswen (1/2)

Since Ochieng' was officially welcomed home, a week had passed. Sankale had been accepted by chief Ong'am and her house had been constructed near the chief's home though outside the compound. She stayed with her daughter Apeleka. Ochieng's 'simba'¹ as per the norms had been constructed near the gate to the left of his father's house since he was the youngest son.

Where he had gone to for the last fourteen years he left to be a closed book. It did not mean he did not want to reveal, he was waiting for his brother Okoth to come back. Furthermore, he did not want to be vexed over his stay in that land.

As the saying goes, 'a visitor is a visitor for today, tomorrow he's given a hoe to go to the garden'. Ochieng' had been woken up very early in the morning today to go help weeding in the sorghum farm. At noon, they were already done and were busy enjoying fermented porridge at the compound of the chief. He was withyoung men of his age who had come to help the chief's family in weeding.

The relationship between the people of Lu tribe and their leaders had reached a level that communities like the Lang, the Kalen and others could not match. The relationship was tops. It was in Lu tribe where the chief could amalgamate with people at will. So long as one had time, he could even go to Kisum and visit the tribe head. In other tribes, one could be born, live for over a hundred years without even knowing the appearance of his chief, let alone the tribe head.

Because of this intimacy, the people of Lu tribe loved their chiefs. If they were not busy, they could go to his home and help him and his family carrying out the daily activities. Men could help in the tiresome works like weeding while the women helped the chief's wives in cleaning, cooking and keeping company. Ochieng' was in the garden in the morning but those with him were quite many so the work was enjoyable. Furthermore, he was so strong that such works to him were infinitesimal.

The chief was in his house enjoying his porridge with other elders, the women were busy storing in their huts, Ochieng', his brothers and friends were supping fermented millet and cassava porridge gobbling the luscious 'nyoyo'² specially prepared by Anyango's friend, Aluoch. They were also confabulating at the same time.

'Gouru thumbeu Jo Odindi gouru thumbeu... waruak wendo

Wendoni donge osindhi ka ruoth ruakeuru...ruakeuru

Jodala ruoth yawuru rangach mondo wendo odonji...yawuru

Ayeleleleleleleleeee!'

[Play your musical instruments the people of

Odindi...so that we welcome the visitor.

Haven't this visitor been ordained as a chief welcome him...welcome him

People from the chief's home open the gates so that the visitor can come in... open

( ululation )]

Cheerful voices of women singing were heard coming from far. Everyone in the chief's home at the moment stopped whatever they were doing to listen. The voices drew closer and closer until several women, men and children appeared from the chief's gate. Among them were two young men each sitting on their own horse. These young men where in high spirits from being warmly welcomed by their people.

The two men were by all odds Okoth Ang'wen and Opondo Rabaya. The news of Okoth being the next chief of the clan had been spread far and wide. He hadbeen awayfor only twenty seasons or five years so it was only natural that he was agnised by almost everyone in Odindi clan. It was also known that Opondo was the one who was sent to go and fetch him.

Those who were in the houses a moment ago were now outside in the compound including the chief.

”Okoth.”

Ochieng' called out, unable to suppress his tears from flowing.

Being his closest brother, it was understandable that he could still remember him. Okoth turned to the direction where the voice came from and there he saw his youngest brother who had haunted him since his disappearance.

”Ochieng'”

What was going inside Okoth only he could understand. He jumped from his horse and rushed towards his brother. When they met, they hugged like two lovers who had been away from one another for years, tears flowing uncontrollably from their eyes. The onlookers felt their emotions soar.