BRIEF HISTORY OF WATAITA MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT
The Taita people occupy the Mountains in south- western Kenya known as the Taita Hills. They comprise three groups, the Dawhida, Sagalla and Kasigau.
The Dawhida live on the higher slopes, the Sagalla on the Maungu Hills that joins with Sagalla Ridge and the Kasigau who live in the Kasigau Hills.
The Taita are composed of seven parent clans (vichuku)that include the Wasadu, Wanya, Wasanu, Wasaadu and Wanyanya original groups that travelled from Mwangea Hill. The other two are Waikumi(wakwafi) and Wambisha, from the original Dorobo (Ndegere/Ndigiri) inhabitants.
The Wambisha are said to have emigrated from Ethiopia. It is claimed that they lived together with the Mijikenda, Pokomo and Bajun in Singwaya before they migrated south and settled at Mwangea Hill. Later they journeyed south-westwards to their present country in three columns.
The Wanya clan followed the Sabaki/Athi/Galana River to the confluence of the Athi and Tsavo river and then turned south to the northern slopes of the Dawhida Hills. Here they were joined by Akamba people who became incorporated into their clan. This group occupied Wundanyi, Wusi and Kidaya; and also expanded into the Pare Mountains in Tanzania.
The second group followed coastline into Usambara Mountains. Of this group, others turned north and settled at Kasigau. But finally some reached the foothills of the main Dawhida Range near Mwatate. This group was prevented from penetrating into upper Mwatate by the northern group and hence they followed the Voi River and settled in Msau, Mlechi and Mbale.
The third column traveled along the Coast, passed the Usambara mountain range and reached the Pare Mountains. Then they turned towards the south-western end of the Dawhida Hills. Here they were joined by section of the Chagga from Tanzania after which they settled near Bura and at Wumari. Shortly afterwards they migrated to the high-lying valleys and slopes to Sage-ighuru and the border of Mrugua, Mwanda and Mghange. Later they were joined by a group of agricultural Maasai(Wakwafi) who occupied the north-western Taita Hills and were absorbed into the community. Therefore, the Wakwafi form the Waikumi clan of the Taita people is the majority in Lushangonyi, Mghange and Mwanda.
This information need further improvement.
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