Luhya

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The Luhya (also Luyia, Luhia) are a Bantu people residing in Western Province, Kenya between Lake Victoria, Uganda and Mount Elgon. They form the second largest ethnic group of Kenya, numbering about 5 million people. The area they live in is the most densely populated in Kenya. Luhya refers both to the people and the Luhya languages, a group of closely related languages spoken by Luhya subtribes. The group is made up of about 16 sub-ethnic groups in Kenya with the most dominating groups being: Bukusu, Maragoli, Wanga, Abanyore, Marama, Idakho, Kisa, Isukha, Abatsosto, Tiriki, Kabras, Abanyala Abatachoni, Abakhayo, Abamarachi and Abasamia. One subtribe is in northern Tanzania and four in Uganda.

Contents

[edit] Origins

Luhya myths of origin suggest a migration into their present-day locations from the north: virtually all sub-ethnic groups claim to have migrated first south from Misri (Egypt), before settling in what is now Central Uganda. They then claim to have migrated further east, first settling around the Mount Elgon area before displacing a pygmy race to settle in their current homeland. White anthropologists believe that the progenitors of the Luhya were part of the great Bantu migration out of Cameroon around 1000 BC. However, there is evidence that supports the Bantu were part of a larger migration from Egypt commonly known as Misri in Africa that occurred between the years 500BC and 1000 Ad, after the Persian, Greek, Roman, and Arab invasions (into Egypt. Such evidence is based on linguistic, historical, scientific and cultural studies by such Egyptologists as Cheikh Anta Diop, Wilberforce Obenga and Moustafa Gadalla. The claims to have pushed out a pygmy race are very similar to the oral traditions of the central Kenyan Kikuyu ethnic group, which tell of the Kikuyu displacing a pygmy race (Gumba) from the area around Mount Kenya. It is significant, though, that the language of the Baganda of Ugandais closely related to the dialects spoken by the Luhya, especially the Maragoli dialect, and seems to point to a common original language not too long ago. The Luhya languages are also similar to several Eastern African languages in Rwanda,Tanzania, Zimbabwe,Mozambique and as far south as theZululanguage of South Africa.

[edit] European contact

The first European the Luhya had contact with was probably Henry Morton Stanley as he voyaged around Lake Victoria. In 1883 Joseph Thomson was the first European known to pass through Luhya territory on foot, and was influential in opening the region to Europeans after his meeting with King Mumia of the Wanga Kingdom. The Wanga kingdom was very similar to the Baganda kingdom and other monarchies in Uganda, an unusual form of government for Bantu peoples. Mumia was the last king of the Wanga, and was recognised by the British as a chief.

[edit] Reaction to colonialism

The Bukusu strongly resisted British incursions into their territory in the 1890s. In 1895, they fought the British from a stronghold near Bungoma on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon called `Chetambe's Fort'. But the British had machine guns and massacred over a hundred Bukusu warriors in the stronghold, who were armed only with spears and hide shields. In the 1940s and 1950s the Bukusu resisted the British under the leadership of Elijah Masinde, a religious leader and prophet who demanded return of their lands. During the Mau Mau rebellion (centered in the Kikuyu areas of Mount Kenya through most of the 1950s), Masinde was imprisoned, but was released to his home area at independence in 1963.

The Kabras and the Wanga collaborated peacefully with the British: the Kabras formed the main Luhya ethnic group in the colonial-era police forces within the Luhya homeland. Nabongo Mumia, the King of the Wanga, signed treaties with the British that allowed the colonial authorities to subject his people to British rule.

Significant numbers of the Luhya fought for the British in the Second World War, many as conscripts in the Kenya African Rifles. As with most African tribes, the Luhya named their children after ancestors, the weather, or significant events. Consequently, many Luhya people born around the time of the Second World War were named "Keyah", a transliteration of "KAR", the acronym for the King's African Rifles.Other famous Chiefs during the colonial time included, Ndombi wa Namusia, Sudi Namachanja,Namutala.

[edit] Culture

[edit] The family

Luhya culture revolves around the extended family. Polygamy is allowed and, traditionally, was actually normal. Today, however, polygamy is only allowed in cases where the man marries under traditional African law or Muslim law: civil marriages (conducted by government authorities) and Christian marriages preclude the possibility of polygamy. About 10 to 15 families traditionally made up a village, headed by a village headman ('Omukasa' or Oweliguru ) who was elected by the male population in the village. In many cases, the village headman was also a medicineman and healer.

Within a family, hierarchy was strictly enforced. Among the men, the man of the home was the ultimate authority, followed by his first-born son. In a polygamous family, the first wife held the most prestigious position among women. The first-born son of the first wife was usually the main heir to his father, even if he happened to be younger than his half-brothers from his father's other wives. Daughters had virtually no permanent position in Luhya families: they were viewed as other men's future wives, and were brought up to fulfil this role. They did not inherit property, and were excluded from decision-making meetings within the family. Today, girls are allowed to inherit property, in accordance with Kenyan law.

Children are named after the clan's ancestors, or after their grandparents, or after events or the weather. The paternal grandparents take predence, so that the first-born son will usually be named after his paternal grandfather(kuka), while the first-born daughter will be named after her paternal grandmother(kukhu). Subsequent children may be named after maternal grandparents, after significant events, or even after the weather (for example, the name "Wafula" among the Bukusu is given to a boy born during the rainy season. This comes from the Bukusu word for rain, "efula") and Simiyu among the Banyala was the name given to the child born during the dry season.

[edit] The clan

Luhya people usually identified with a clan: this was a grouping of people with a common ancestry (usually up to about 3 or 4 generations). The clan underpinned social interaction and determined relationships such as marriage and custom subsets. Marriage within one's clan was taboo and was strictly forbidden. This custom persists even today: before young people get into serious relationships with members of the opposite sex, they will usually find out the clan of their would-be fiance / fiancee. If it is established that the two, in fact, belong to the same clan, the relationship is abandoned. With the adoption of a modern, town-based lifestyle by many Luhya people, the concept of the clan is dying out among most sub-tribes (with the notable exception of the Bukusu, among whom tradition is revered and is still alive).

[edit] The sub-tribe

The Luhya are divided into sub-tribes, each speaking a certain dialect of the Luhya language. Linguistically, these subdivisions can be grouped into four main categories:

  • The Wanga dialect, or variations of it, is spoken by the Wanga, Marama, Kisa, Tsotso, Kabras, Isukha, Idakho, Nyore and Tachoni.
  • The Maragoli dialect is spoken by the Maragoli and the Tiriki.
  • The Bukusu dialect, or variations of it, is spoken by the Bukusu,Gisu and Masaaba.
  • The Nyala dialect is spoken by Abanyala of Busia and those who emigrated to Kakamenga popularly known as Abanyala ba Ndombi.
  • The Saamia dialect is spoken by the Saamia, Nyala (Busia), Khayo, Tura and the Marachi.

Significant overlaps exist between these sub-tribes, with mini-dialects that are composed of two or more dialects. The Tachoni of Lugari area, for example, speak a dialect that is mixture of the Kabras and Tachoni dialects. The sub-tribes of the Luhya are Babukusu, Abatiriki, Maragoli, Abanyore, Abakhayo, Abanyala, Abasamia, Abisukha, Abidakho, Abashisa, Abamarachi, Abatsotso, Abakabarasi, Abatachoni, Abawanga, and Abamarama.

[edit] Abanyala

Abanyala is a Luhya sub-tribe which resides in two districts, Busia and Kakamega, Kenya in East Africa. It is believed that the Banyala of Kakamega originated from Busia hence they are closely related as they speak the same dialect, safe for the differences in pronnunciations."Ochie", "Otie" meaning hello. The Banyala in Kakamega reside in Navakholo Division North of Kakamega forest. They are mostly known by their one time powerful colonial chief: Ndombi wa Namusia who was succeeded by one of his sons Andrea, then Paulo Udoto, Mukopi, Wanjala, Barasa Ongeti, Matayo Oyalo and Muterwa (the most recent) in that order.

Interestingly the Abanyala are a very diverse people with about thirty different clans which have intermarried forming a whole complicated network of relationships popularly called "Olwikho". The Abanyala clans include: Abaafu, Ababenge, Abachimba, Abadavani, Abaengere, Abakangala, Abakhubichi, Abakoye, Abakwangwachi, Abalanda, Abalecha, Abalindo, Abamisoho, Abamuchuu, Abamugi, Abamwaya, Abasaacha, Abasaya, Abasenya, Abasia, Abasiloli, Abasonge, Abasumba, Abasuu, Abatecho, Abaucha, Abauma,Abaumwo, Abayaya, Abayirifuma, Abayisa, Abayundo, Abasiondo. One is not allowed to marry from his/her own clan.

[edit] Kabras

Kabras, which is a luhya subtribe (though I prefer calling them ethnic groups), resides principally in Malava, in what is called Kabras Division of Kakamega district of western Province. The Kabras are sandwiched by the Isukha and the Tachoni.

The name 'Kabras' comes from 'Avalasi' which refers to warriors as that's what the Kabras were. They were fierce warriors who fought with the neighbouring Nandi for cattle and were known to be fearless. This explains why generally they are few as compared to other sub-tribes such as the Maragoli and Bukusu

The Kabras dialect sounds close to Tachoni though to the experienced ear, someone can detect some differences. Plus in all luhya, there are different names for different things depending on the sub-dialect, so to speak.

Originally, the Kabras were few families which ended up as the head of the clans. The names of the fathers of the families also ended up as the names of the clans. The clans are Abamutama, Abasonje, Abakhusia, Abamachina, Abashu, Abamutsembi and others whose names I'll add at a later date.

The Kabras were under Chief Nabongo Mumia of the Wanga and produced an elder in his council of elders. This was Soita Libukana Samaramarami of Lwichi village in Central Kabras, near Chegulo market.

The first church to spread to Kabras was the Friends Church (Quakers). This was through Arthur Chilson a quaker missionary, who had started the church in Kaimosi, Tiriki. He earned local name, Shikanga, and his children learned the local language as they lived and interacted with the local children. Therefore Friends church still has a strong following among the kabras though other churches have spread to the area.

The Kabras are friendly people who are always ready to welcome visitors with ready food and accommodation, though some live in abject poverty.

[edit] Initiation

The Luhya, with the exception of the Kabras, Marama, and Saamia, practiced both circumcision and clitoridectomy. However, government campaigns have put an end to clitoridectomy in most places, with significant pockets of the practice still holding out among the Tachoni and the Bukusu. Traditionally, circumcision was a period of training for adult responsibilities for the youth. Among the Kakamega Luhya, circumcision was carried out every four or five years, depending on the sub-tribe. Like the Abanyala living in Navakholo do the initiation of their young boys every other year and notably an even year. The initiates were about 8 to 13 years old, and the ceremony was followed by a period of seclusion for the initiates. On their coming out of seclusion, there would be a feast in the village, followed by a period of counselling by a group of elders. The newly-initiated youths would then build batchelor-huts for each other, where they would stay until they were old enough to become warriors. This kind of initiation is no longer practiced among the Kakamega Luhya, with the exception of the Tiriki. Nowadays, the initiates are usually circumcised in hospital, and there is no seclusion period. On healing, a party is held for the initiate - who then usually goes back to school to continue with his studies. Among the Bukusu, the Tachoni and (to a much lesser extent) the Nyala and the Kabras, the traditional methods of initiation persist. Circumcision is held every even year in August and December (the latter only among the Tachoni and the Kabras), and the initiates are typically 11 to 15 years old.

[edit] Marriage

Traditionally, the Luhya practiced arranged marriage. The parents of a boy who was of marrying age (usually about 20 years old) would approach the parents of a girl who had the desired qualities (usually, about 16 years old, a reputation for being hard-working and a fine physique - facial beauty was not very important) to ask for her hand. If the girl agreed, negotiations for dowry would begin. Typically, this would be 12 cattle and similar numbers of sheep or goats, to be paid by the groom's parents to the bride's family. Once the dowry was delivered, the girl was fetched by the groom's sisters to begin her new life as a wife.

Among the Bukusu, the custom was slightly different. Young men were allowed to elope with willing (or, sometimes, unwilling) girls, with negotiations for dowry to be conducted later. In such cases, the young man would also pay a fine to the parents of the girl. As polygamy was allowed,a middle-aged man would typically have 2 to 3 wives. When a man got very old and handed over the running of his homestead to his sons, the sons would sometimes find a young girl for the old man to marry. Such girls were normally those who could not find men to marry them, usually because they had children out of wedlock. Wife inheritance was common: a widow would normally be inherited by her husband's brother or cousin. In some cases, the eldest son would also inherit his father's widows (though not his own mother). The practice of wife inheritance has been one of the reasons behind the devastating spread of HIV /AIDS among the Luhya in the last 20 years.[citation needed]

[edit] Death

The Luhya had extensive customs surrounding death. There would be a great celebration at the home of the deceased, with mourners staying at the funeral for up to forty days. If the deceased was a wealthy or influential man, a big tree would be uprooted and the deceased would be buried there. Nowadays, the mourners stay for shorter periods of time (about one week) and the celebrations are held at the time of burial, with a single closing ceremony again to end the forty days. The Luhya believed in animisms and spirits and considered funerals with high regard as a custom to please the ancestral spirits. Sacrifices were made to please the spirits. There was great fear of the "Balosi" (witch doctors) and "Babini" (wizards). These are often referred to as the "night-runners" who prowl in the nude running from one house to another casting spells. Today, most of the Luhya practice Christianity and they refer to God as “Nyasaye”, a word borrowed from the neighbouring Luo tribe. The Bukusu believe in “Were” the God of Mount Elgon whom they worship. They are also said to practice traditional witchcraft and are extremely tied to tribal traditions and superstitions.

[edit] Modern culture

Luhya people that have moved to town to work are, as with most other Kenyans, unable to fully practice their culture. Many of them have turned to sports and clubs to maintain ties with their kinsmen. Most of them follow football, with the majority supporting the AFC club. The AFC Leopards football club is one of the most renowned football clubs in East and Central Africa. It was formed in 1964 under the name of Abaluhya Football club, to represent members of the Luhya community and to rival Luo Union Football club. Today, the club has a fan base spanning the entire nation, and is one of the best supported teams in the country. It has produced several stars, many of whom went on to gain national, regional and continental fame. Some of the sportsmen it produced include Wilberforce Mulamba, Joe Masiga ( also a rugby player), Livingstone Madegwa, Joe Kadenge and John Shoto Lukoye. Staunch AFC Leopards fans are known to be very passionate. Matters pertaining to the club evoke high emotions among them especially against their arch rivals Gor Mahia from the Luo tribe.

[edit] Economic activities

The Luhya are, traditionally, agriculturalists, and they grow different crops depending on the region where they live. Close to Lake Victoria, the Saamia are mainly fishermen and traders, with their main agricultural activity being the raising of cassava. The Bukusu and the Wanga are mainly cash crop farmers, raising sugar cane in Bungoma and Mumias areas respectively. The Bukusu also farm wheat in the region around Kitale. The Isukha of Kakamega area and the Maragoli of Vihiga raise tea, while the rocky land of the Nyore is used to harvest stones and gravel for construction. In Bukura area, the Kisa are small scale and only subsisitance maize farmers. They also rear cattle, sheep, goats and chicken on a small scale. The Kabras of Malava area raise mainly maize at subsistence levels, with a few also farming sugar cane. With the rapid modernisation of Kenya, many young Luhya people have emigrated to Nairobi and other towns in search of work, and many of them are to be found residing in the south-western Nairobi areas of Kangemi and Kawangware.

[edit] Notable Luhya personalities

[edit] External links

See also: Kakamega Forest

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