The history of the Taita people is one of migration, cultural fusion, and survival. Taita, a name that brings together three distinct communities โ the Dawida, the Sagalla, and the Kasighau โ is a story deeply intertwined with other indigenous and Cushitic groups of East Africa. Our roots trace back to the Shungwaya settlement, where they once lived alongside the Mijikenda before their ancestors made the fateful journey to the hills that now bear their name.[โฆ]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLEโถ
Historically, the Taita people are said to have migrated from Shungwaya in three separate groups. The Dawida were known as the Tita, the Kasighau as the Kadiyaru, and the Sagalla as the Dara. These groups formed the foundation of the Taita identity as they dispersed into different regions, ultimately settling in what are now the Taita, Sagalla, and Kasighau hills.
The Dawida occupy the Taita Hills, the Sagalla settled around Maungu Hills and Sagalla Ridge, while the Kasighau made their home in the Kasighau Hills. Each of these communities developed unique traditions, but together, they form the Taita people as we know them today.
In their early migration, Taita trading parties ventured far beyond their hills, reaching as far as Chagga and Usambara through Taveta. It was during these journeys that some Taitas established colonies among the Shambala people of Tanzania, further expanding their influence and identity.
The Taita migration from Mwangea took place in three distinct columns, each moving in different directions. The first column, primarily composed of the Wanya clan, followed the Sabaki River upstream. They settled on the eastern slopes of the mountains in Tanzania and today occupy areas such as Wundanyi, Wusi, and Kidaya.
The second column travelled along the coast, with some settling in Kasighau, while others moved inland to the foothills of the Pare Mountains. They were eventually driven away from the Mwatate Valley by the northern Wanya group and relocated along the Voi River, where they now inhabit Mlechi, Msau, and Mbale.
The third group of migrants traversed the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania before moving towards the Dawida Hills. On their journey, they were joined by Chagga elements and a branch of the Maasai known as the Wakuavi. Today, these clans are settled in areas like Lushangonyi, Mghange, and Mwanda.
The history of Taita is incomplete without acknowledging the Wambisha people, a Cushitic group that inhabited the Taita Hills long before the Dawida, Sagalla, and Kasighau clans arrived. Known as skilled hunters and magic practitioners, the Wambisha left behind physical evidence of their existence in the form of stone pyramids or cairns, known locally as โMfingiri ya Wambisha.โ These pyramids served as burial sites, and a few remnants can still be found in Mbale, Mbololo, and Mghange.
The Wambisha maintained a distinct identity, even as they intermarried with the Taita clans. Their language, โNgasu,โ was preserved well into the 19th century and was notably different from Kidawida and Kisagalla. Some historians suggest that the Wambisha, along with other ancient groups like the Wanyamba and Wakuruma, were eventually wiped out by the Wasasadu clan, known for their practice of witchcraft and poisoning.
Despite this, the Wambisha people, often considered the โEthiopiansโ or โJewsโ of Taita, left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of the Taita people. Their burial customs, animal sacrifices, and avoidance of intermarriage within clans mirror Jewish traditions, hinting at a shared ancient ancestry.
As the Taita people expanded, intermarried, and adopted various cultural practices, they formed seven primary clans. These clans represent the diverse roots and influences that have shaped the Taita community. The clans are, Wasadu, Wanya, Wasanu, Wasasadu, Wanyanya, Waikumi (Wakuavi Maasai), and Wambisha (Dorobo, Ndegere/Ndigiri).
While the Dawida, Sagalla, and Kasighau remain the three main communities of the Taita people, the incorporation of other groups like the Wambisha and the influence of the Maasaiโs Wakuavi branch have enriched the cultural heritage of Taita. These clans, each with its own unique history, form the backbone of the Taita identity.
Today, the Taita people are proud of their rich history, from the migration from Shungwaya to the establishment of distinct communities in the hills of southeastern Kenya. Despite the challenges faced over the centuries โ from wars with neighbouring tribes to the eventual assimilation of the Wambisha people โ the Taita have preserved a deep connection to their land and traditions.
The stone cairns of the Wambisha, though nearly lost to agriculture and development, serve as a reminder of the ancient peoples who once called Taita home. The customs, language, and beliefs of the Taita people today carry echoes of a past that stretches back generations, rooted in migration, survival, and a profound sense of community.
The story of the Taita people remains one of resilience, unity, and the unbreakable bond to the hills that have sheltered them for centuriesโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
