The wanga people

 The Wanga kingdom is a Bantu kingdom within Kenya, consisting of the Wanga (Abawanga) tribe of the Luhya people (Abaluyia). At its peak the kingdom covered an expansive area from Jinja in west to Naivasha in the East African Rift. The Wanga kingdom was a significant African empire and the most organized structure of government in pre-colonial Kenya politically, economically, and militarily.


In 2016 the Wanga numbered around 700,000, mostly occupying the Kakamega County, Western Province, Kenya. The seat of power is located in Mumias. The Wanga are one of 19 tribes of the Luhya people. There are 22 clans that comprise the Wanga tribe. The Wanga retain the Nabongo, as their monarch. The Abashitse clan holds the royal lineage of the Nabongo. The current Nabongo is Peter Mumia II.


Etymology

The name Wanga is eponymous, originating from name of the kingdoms founder, Nabongo Wanga. The name Wanga refers to the people as well as their descent and geographical location.


The origin of the title Nabongo is uncertain, however Kenyan Historian, Prof. Gideon Were refers to the pre-Wanga ruler, Muima as “Nabongo Muima” indicating that the title may predate the formation of the Wanga Kingdom.


History

Precolonial history

Origins

The early history of the Wanga Kingdom is unclear, with various conflicting traditions as to their origins. One tradition holds that they are descendants of ancient Egyptians. Their ancestors are said to have migrated, from Egypt to Ethiopia, where they were under the leadership of Simbi and Nangwera before moving to help form the Buganda Kingdom where they were ruled by the Kabaka of Buganda for many generations before relocating to Lela in the present-day Nyanza around the 10th century.

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