Culturally, lirumbi is more than a tool of a trade. This is true in part because among the Luhya, trades such as blacksmithing, medicine men and mukhebi (traditional circumcisers) are considered sacred. They are passed on along bloodlines, their secrets imbedded in the DNA of the custodians. We spoke to one such custodian, a retired muyemba blacksmith, and this is all they let out.
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What is lirumbi?
In the ‘flesh’, lirumbi consists in part of a singular big circumference, flat metal. Traditionally, this circular metal part of lirumbi was so heavy that it required at least two grown men to move it. In more modern times, this part of lirumbi is often a disused disc plough. The other component is a lighter metal rod. Together, these metal parts would be used to shape hot metal into tools such as kumubano (knife) and embako (jembe/hoe).
How to use lirumbi
The heavy metal disc served as the anvil while the metal rod was used as a hammer. As fortunes of Bukusu traditional craftsmen dwindled with modern life, it is not uncommon to find lirumbi disused as church bells.
Was it considered sacred?
Among the Bayemba, children were let to play with it, never they wandered to where it was in their play. Possibly thrilled by the loud clang noise produced, they are allowed to knock the metal components together, anything really, as long as they didn’t move the tools about. Such play was considered some sort of indoctrination into the ways of their fathers; or responding dutifully (as all good children should) when called by their elders.
