Mfangano Island, Lake
Victoria, Kenya
A woman stands at the place
where the mythical 'footsteps' can be seen by the lake
Traditional
Legends: Nyamgondho and the Lady of
the Lake
On the Suba mainland near Nyandiwa is a headland revered as the site of
the legend of Nyamgondho, which is well-known throughout western Kenya.
Nyamgondho, son of Ombare, was a poor man living by the shores of lake;
he had no wives and no cattle. One day as he was fishing he cast his
net and upon pulling it in, he saw an ugly woman. Nyamgondho wanted to
throw her back into the water, but was persuaded by the woman to pull
her out, and live with her as his wife – she promised to make him
wealthy, on condition that he never mentions where she was found. The
lady of the lake was hardworking and Nyamgondho grew prosperous,
acquiring many cattle and several other wives. But he quickly grew
proud and arrogant, and one day came home drunk; each wife, who had her
own house, refused to let him in. Even the lady of the lake refused to
let him in. Nyamgondho shouted “What? Even you, you ugly creature whom
I found in the lake, you won’t open the door for me?” Enraged, she
replied “What have you said? What was the agreement when we met?”
Nyamgondho told her that with his considerable wealth in cattle, he no
longer needed such an ugly wife, and he cursed her. Upon hearing this,
the lady of the lake left their home and returned to the lake, and to
Nyamgondho’s horror, every one of his cows followed her: one by one
they walked into the water, leaving him bereft and impoverished.
Local mythology says that rock formations resembling the Lady of the
Lake’s footsteps and those of her animals can be seen at the point
where she entered the water. People in the region believe that the
water which flows above the ‘footsteps’ has medicinal powers and they
come from as far as Kisumu to collect it.
website
& images ©
2008 TARA