Sade Khalai 
Mbo notila khuyo, aba olinge owambile lichabungwe esibuno nono solakanyala ta! Meet the Bukusu proverb on sacred cows. A newspaper editor once said: “To determine the true rulers of any society, all you must do is ask yourself this question: Who is it that I am not permitted to criticize?” Daily Nation “Sacred cows exist; … Read more
When it seemed fairly certain that natural death was imminent, a terminally ill person was placed in front, or the center of his first wife’s house. In Lubuksu, munju mwo mukhaye simakulu. Family and friends were informed about the impending matter. All kith and kin were expected to come and pay tribute to the ailing … Read more
Today, lets talk Lubukusu, the language of Mubukusu. Lubukusu is rich: lustrous when spoken, immensely expressive in song and damn descriptive in capturing the quintessence of our ways such as when naming our children or when tying the knot as in khuboa chinyinja. Look, I am Bukusu who was majorly schooled in Maragoli land. I am one … Read more
When a Bukusu couple are made one, Bukusu marriage customs observed, enganana taken place and dowry paid, it comes a time when culture demands that the couple celebrate the longevity of their union in a special way. The Maragoli had kuvika kesegese and kuruta as the traditional seals of marriage. It is the former that … Read more
This scene from Steve Kay’s “Mbe Omukhasi” is an acceptable rendition of the part of the wedding ceremony in a traditional Bukusu marriage that took place at the girl’s matrimonial home. Image| Steve Kay | Dennis Machio| YouTube A recent gazette notice from the AG office that appeared to outlaw customary marriages, got my antenna … Read more
Having many children is considered a blessing, and childlessness, bukumba, among the Bukusu, as it is in many African cultures, taken to be a great misfortune. Traditionally, many births took place at home. Mostly by self or assisted by co-wives, mother, sisters, mother-in-laws or even the pregnant woman’s relatives if she had chosen to go … Read more
On your way out of Trans Nzoia county headquarters, Kitale town, towards Endebess at the foot of Mt. Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border; Matisi town straddles the ‘highway’ over a stretch of a kilometer thereabouts. Here, deep in mulembe, we find a Saboat saying that however aged, distills the answer to questions that still dog … Read more
