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''' The process of selecting Mfaw-bebhi in the Manyu Culture. '''

Most of the history is orally handed down from one generation to another by specially trained historians of the society. These historians are called "Mfaw Bebhi".

A candidate for this position is selected from many children with cognitive and abilities to retain and narrate stories told to them of their tribal and family ancestries.

Principles of Mfaw-Bebhi:


 * 1) Bebhi is a treasured asset of our people
 * 2) Mfaw-Bebhi is a highly respected gentleman in our society
 * 3) Mfaw-Bebhi must be truthful and full of facts.
 * 4) Mfaw-Bebhi performs his job with full objectivity.
 * 5) Mfaw-Bebhi does not drink.

These traits are used as criteria for the selection of the winner.

Mfaw-Bebhi is a lifetime position, always paid each time he is invited to narrate facts about a case.

What are the types of cases?


 * Marriages

In this case, suitor wants to know the partner's family background so he will make a decision whether to continue the marriage process or stop it its track.


 * Settlement of Chieftaincy disputes

This is a case where the villagers want to know if a person in question has the rights of being a leader of the village.

This will need an unbiased narration of the candidate's family's lineage and claim to the chieftaincy of the kingdom.


 * Land Disputes

Mfaw-Bebhi narrated the history of land ownership from time of settlement till the present date.


 * Important tribal occasions

Here he is to present the oral narrations of a selected topic for presentation

 Process: 

1. Each reputable family of the Clan selects their child-candidate


 * Qualified age range is between 7-10.

2. Grooming Step


 * Each family sends the candidate to the current Mfaw-Bebhi for grooming and training for a period of 6 years.
 * During this period, he eliminates one person, periodically for the first two years, until the last three standing become the finalists to present to the clan.
 * (At this time, the finalists are between 16-18 years old)

3. Interview of the Finalists


 * (Interview process takes 3 days)
 * Each day the family elders (Sesekous) from clan listen to the Mfaw-Bebhi Finalist's presentation, followed by questions and answers

4. Mfaw-Bebhi Installation

From stage 3 to 4, there is always a ceremony to entertain the clan and invited guests

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