Giant serpent from Lake Victoria that birthed Mumbo cult

Vision of the giant snake in 1913 marked the beginning of Mumboism which spread fast in parts of Nyanza and Kisii. [iStockphoto]

It started like a joke when the apparition of a giant serpent slithering out of Lake Victoria revealed itself to Onyango Donde. Mumbo, for that, is what the serpent's name pronounced.

"Those whom I choose personally, and also those who acknowledge me, will live forever in plenty. Their crops will grow of themselves and there will be no more need to work."