Kowak
| Kowak | |
|---|---|
| village | |
  Kowak Location in Tanzania | |
| Coordinates: 01°21′45″S 034°09′10″E / 1.36250°S 34.15278°ECoordinates: 01°21′45″S 034°09′10″E / 1.36250°S 34.15278°E | |
| Country | Tanzania |
| Region | Mara Region |
| District | Rorya District |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
| UFI | -1722362 |
Kowak[1] is a village situated in the Rorya District in Mara Region of northern Tanzania, East Africa. Kowak is in Nyathorogo ward, in Luo-Imbo division of Rorya District.
Demographics
The major clans in the village are Kakibira, Kachiemo, Kotho, Kamot, Kanyaguti and Kanyagak. Sub clans in Kakibira include the Auma clan(Didi and Ogola family), Odera clan, the Rucho clan, the Ochola clan, the Wadipo clan and the Awuor clan. It is Didi family that bears Joka-Saramba and Jok-Awiti.
History
The history of this village dates back to several centuries if not back to the first millennium when the Luo people migrated south and east along the shores of Lake Victoria into what is now Tanzania. The name "Kowak" for this village comes from an ancestor named Owak, who first homesteaded there. In Luo, someone's homestead is identified by his name or her name. For example, Onyango's homestead is called Konyango, Achola's is Kachola, Chiemo's is Kachiem and Raila's is Karaila. That is why Owak's homestead is now known as Kowak. Owak had sons Kibira, Otho and adopted son Chiemo making those great clans. He also had wives Nyaguti, Nyagak and collected wife Mot who he met when collecting firewood. Now Kowak village is generally considered to be occupied by the descendants of Kibira, who was the firstborn, and thus inherited his father's homestead. The village of Nyasoko was made by Otho's descendants, and Omuga was made by Chiemo's descendants. Also, Det village was made by Mot and her sons; Somba Nyasoko was made by Nyaguti and Nyagak and their sons. Kowak people are only pure Luo blooded in Tanzania compared to others who had married to other tribes like Kurya and others.