Geschichte des Herrscher-Klans Abasiranga
auf der Insel Bukerebe (Tansania) bis 1895
Henryk Zimon
Summarium. - This study is an attempt to extend the range of knowledge about the
history of the ruling clan of Bukerebe and to contribute to a clarification of possible problems.
* is based on personal on-the-spot interviews and research in archives.
According to oral tradition, Isenye is the original home of the Siranga clan. Kan
hornbya, the founder, set out from Isenye accompanied by his friend Biniri and travelled
hy land to Ihangiro in Buhaya. Chronology in general and the oral Kerebe tradition in
Particular are in contradiction with the theory put forward in the “official tradition that
}y ankombya has been a direct descendant of Ruhinda, founder of the famous Hinda dynasty
Mlin g in the west and southwest of lake Victoria.
The ancestors of the Siranga clan left Ihangiro with several II ay a tribesmen anc
packed Bukerebe island approximately in the middle of the seventeenth century. Katobaha,
he first king, established the Siranga rule first of all at Iramba on the mainland. Up to date.
tvelve or thirteen generations have contributed seventeen or eighteen kings to that dynasty .
. Kahana I (1755-1780), son of Mihigo I, moved from the mainland to Bukerebe
s i a nd which became the royal residence henceforth.
Mihigo II (1805-1830) was the first king who initiated the ivory trade with the South.
A partition of the Siranga rule took place in the middle of the 19th century. Subse
gently this led to hostile and warlike acts and also affected relations with the outside world,
ar Ocularly with the Ganda tribe. _
Machunda (1840-1870) maintained active economic and diplomatic relations win
■ e nei ghbouring tribes. During his rule, the first traders arrived on the coast of Bukerebe
and which became — for a comparatively short period - an important trading centre in t te
ut heast of lake Victoria.
The influence of missionaries and the German colonial power on the Here e n
*y ed ed that of Arabs and Swahili traders already during Rukonge’s reign (1870-1S95)
s °cial and cultural change was furthered by their efforts.
Although Rukonge himself had endeavoured to make contact with the English mis-
y^aries of the Church Missionary Society whose missionary work he had desired, the mis-
° n ari es remained only a short time on Bukerebe island : until their death in December 1877.
yp Rukonge himself bore no responsibility for this tragic event, but the Swahili trader
n goro who, together with his companions, was killed in the skirmish.
. Neither can the Kerebe attack on the mission station at Hamuyebe be exclusively or
lnia niy attributed to king Rukonge’s “mean character”. Other factors, particularly the
M l0n of the German Antislavery Society against Rukonge, as well as the attitude of the
ynza German authorities and of the missionaries, must be taken into account in order
u Joyyyj
an opinion on his revolt.
Anth
,r °pos 66. 1971
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