The story of Lwanda Magere has been passed down through generations and is still told today. Mzee Petro, who is the custodian of the shrine in Awasi, Kisumu, tells visitors the version that he learned from his ancestors.
According to this version, Lwanda Magere was a mighty warrior from Kano who was so powerful that the Nandi people were afraid of him. They tried to defeat him in battle, but he was invincible. Eventually, they discovered that his strength lay in his shadow, and they killed him by throwing a spear at it.
In this blog post, we will explore Mzee Petro's version of the Lwanda Magere story and learn more about the legend of this great warrior.
LWANDA MAGERE/MIGERE
It was prophesied; 'Chieng nobed hono'. 'He will do supernatural things'. The son of Otindo was a stone.
As he was growing up, his agemates were astounded by his sheer strength.
He would invite a couple to hang on his outstretched hand for as long as they
liked. His outrageous strength was so widespread, he killed a beast not once
but twice whilst others fell over one another as they ran for dear Life.
'Ruoth emane ochiwe' ; He was given us by The Almighty God 'Asere ni dir, to asere lwar Mana piny'; He used to kill a whole army alone.
They threw arrows at him, spears at him, they were met with a stone that he
was and just fell off bent. Those lucky to escape reported an army superior
than they had ever seen. That was not the truth, Lwanda Magere/Migere alone
fell a whole army. Then they devised ways to snare this mysterious figure.
'Wamiyi Nyiri ariyo to ok inyuom';. They sourced for two beautiful girls and
offered Lwanda Magere as his wives without payment of bride price. Elders
refused the offer arguing that one cannot marry two women at ago. 'Nyiri ariyo
ok kend dichiel! These two girls remained in the village. MIGERE's wife had
gone away to see her relations.
They first tried to kill Lwanda Magere/Migere with poison, then served him
milk with ugali. He insisted they eat first, when they hesitated, he gave the
dogs. The dogs died. The wife was still away when he fell sick. The Elders
warned him about disclosing his secret. 'Tipo e tekone'; The two women, one
hid as the other convinced Lwanda Magere to reveal his secret.
That day Elders were having a Baraza in Onyalo Biro. Kiprono Wuon bilo, he
hailed from a place called Atela near Kericho. 'Mano ngato achiel, omuga
ohingo'; The people said, kiprono was but one man, Lwanda Magere was
known to kill a whole army! Lying in wait was Malakwen and Arap Simeon.
That place they killed Lwanda Magere, no vegetation grows. He was slain and
turned into a Stone.
