The Chonyi, also referred to as Achonyi, are one of the smaller tribes of the Mijikenda

Mijikenda

The Mijikenda are the nine ethnic groups along the coast of Kenya, from the border of Somalia in the north to the border of Tanzania in the south...

 on the coast of Kenya

Kenya

Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...

. Their populations can be found in the villages of Lutsangani, Chidutani, Dzitsoni, Bundacho, Ziani,Karimboni, Chigojoni, Dindiri, Junju, Katikirieni, Mwarakaya, Pingilikani, Vwevwesi, Mafisini, Ng'ombeni, Chizingo, Chikambala, Chengoni, Chije, Banda-ra-Salama and Mbuyuni

Mbuyuni

Mbuyuni is an administrative ward in the Chunya district of the Mbeya Region of Tanzania. According to the 2002 census, the ward has a total population of 14,797....

. They are also found in recent settlements areas of Kilifi District like Chumani, Roka, Maweni, Vipingo, Takaungu and Mtwapa

Mtwapa

Mtwapa is a beautiful town located in Kenya's Coast Province. The town is situated approximately north-east of Mombasa and is served by Mombasa-Malindi road. The settlement is also the location of the Mombasa-Mtwapa matatu terminus. The Mtwapa Creek is an Indian Ocean inlet at Mtwapa, which is...

. Where "kiti" means chair in Swahili

Swahili language

Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...

, "Kihi" is Giriama and "Chihi" is Chonyi. Similar, but recognizably different languages. Like the other Mijikenda tribes, the Chonyi live in settlements known as "Kaya." The original "Kaya Chonyi" is located on a forested hill top. In the center of the Kaya were shrines where the elders or "atumia" would pray to god or "Mulungu".

Origin

According to a Chonyi myth, the Achonyi originated in Singwaya (or Shungwaya), which was to the north of the Somali coast. They were driven south by the Oromo until they reached their present locations along the ridge, where they built their kayas within a protective setting. The historical accuracy of this myth is a point of controversy between those who believe that the Mijikenda originated from a single point in the north and those who believe that they do not have a single origin, but migrated primarily from the south.

Naming

The naming of the chonyi people is symbolic, for example, MBEYU is a name of a girl mbeyu meaning seeds for planting. KARISA means a boy who is a herder most probably born when her mother was in the field grazing. NYAVULA is a girl name meaning a rainy season, born during times of rains. MOKOLI is a boy name meaning a person who is helpful.

External links

• everyculture.com – Mijikenda