Omwami Mwene

Murere ne` obusuma. Kandi bwoba ne` isikuti. Uso kama VX, Masguembe, Ingwe to Western Bulls. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

The Deadliest Roads in Western Kenya: Accident Black spots that have wantonly claimed lives (and what to be on the look out for next time you hit the road)

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Every other few months, the people of western Kenya slip into mourning. Yet another accident. Innocent lives lost. The country robbed of hard working citizens. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters lost. These are the deadliest roads in western Kenya. We urge all road users to be follow road rules and be extra cautious … Read more

Western Kenya counties rich list: Kakamega County richest, Vihiga poorest

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Which is the richest county in Western Kenya? We look to data from CBK and KNBS to reveal western Kenya counties rich list. While CBK data gives us the number of banks and the corresponding bank penetration in the counties, KNBS data informs us of not only the population of these counties, but also the … Read more

Digging out the trail of origin of omwami: A lost kingdom, slaves and God King of the Maragoli

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at the origin of omwami points to a pharaoh like character such as the one represented by this gold tut ornament

A reader shared with us the origin of omwami. Omwami is a title that showers honor, respect and even reverence (sometimes deceitful praise) to whomever it’s bestowed upon. Our article on the meaning of omwami looked at the common understanding whenever someone is called omwami. Chief, boss, leader and more we’ve come to know as … Read more

Linyonyi lia kukwimba, the perfect Maragoli saying when caught out

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linyonyi lia kukwimba is a maragoli saying simillar to the english idiom a little birdie told me

Linyonyi lia kukwimba, a bird has sang (about) you, is a Maragoli saying that’s the perfect quip, clincher or savory figure of speech for those moments when caught out. Do you wish to speak kimaragoli like a true Maragoli? Sayings and proverbs are a sure way to get you speaking Lulogooli not only fluently but … Read more

Luhya marriage customs: Can I marry a girl whose grandmother is from my clan?

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Hello mulembe nation. I have a question. There’s a bachelor whose love interest’s grandmother is of the same clan as his own. Can they get married? Hello mulembe nation.Niko na swali.Kuna kijana ako kwa uhusiano na msichana ambaye nyanya ya msichana (nyanya anayezaa mama ya msichana) ni ukoo mmoja na kijana.Je, wanaweza wakaoana? Hujambo Kaka? … Read more

Common English pronouns in Bukusu language

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My pronouns are as we shall see pronouns in Bukusu have no such dicotomy

Common personal and possessive pronouns in Bukusu language. Find common use with sentences and translations. Bukusu language or Lubukusu is the tongue of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of Mulembe Nation About learning Bukusu language with mulembe nation Select resources to learn Bukusu language:  Emojis in Bukusu; Common Bukusu words and phrases relating … Read more

Meaning of the Bukusu saying sikolonjo sialinda ekunda: Unpacking hidden gems of the traditional Bukusu land tenure system

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sikolonjo sialinda ekunda, a bukusu proverb

We explore the meaning of the Bukusu saying sikolonjo sialinda ekunda. In the process, we shed light on aspects of the traditional Bukusu land tenure system, pottery and circumcision. Sikolonjo sialinda ekunda in English “Potsherds look after (take care of) the land.” It was during sisingilo of Bachuma II, between 1972 to 1986, when the … Read more

What is the cultural significance of sikolonjo? Of frogs crossing the road, cacti, blow dryers and broken pots seeding hope for the future in Luhya culture

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poster titled sikolonjo in luhya culture with grey scale image of broken pottery in sand

What is the cultural significance of sikolonjo (potsherds) in Luhya culture? We take journey form the times before to more recent days in the life of Babukusu and Mulogooli people of the Luhya. Growing up, my mother had some reluctance us visiting our paternal grandmother and spending days there. Before you make conclusions, it had … Read more

Kumukhendie: Why this indigenous tree, also known as Lusasari, was bad news in Luhya culture

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poster with image of skull titled kumukhendie tree - a tale of misfortune and a tree

Kumukhendie tree (Bukusu) or Lusasari (Maragoli) is tropical flora of East Africa. As with any indeginouse tree, the cultural value of kumukhendie varies with the tribal group. For the Luhya of Kenya, in particular in the Bukusu belief system, this tree, whose scientific name is Allophylus ferr, was a much feared one. Find out why … Read more

FAQ: What is Likhoni or luliki in Bukusu circumcision?

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oster titled 'likhoni luliki lukembe' with image of a bull's testicles

Answers to frequently asked questions on likhoni or luliki in Bukusu circumcision. Use the comments section to post more questions which we will endeavor to answer as accurate as possible. For more terms, phrases, traditions on the traditional Bukusu circumcision ceremony, browse our glossary titled Speak With Authority on Bukusu Traditional Circumcision Ceremony; or comb … Read more