Stories, names of crawling creatures, tinny beings, bugs and insects in Bukusu language. To state the obvious, the Bukusu Luhya of western Kenya had to do with insects, crawling creatures and tinny bugs in and around the homestead. Some of these beings were useful as food while others were harmful. All the same, our Bukusu forefathers found ways and means of coexisting with these creatures of nature.
This article lists names of insects in Bukusu language along with tidbits of interesting trivia. learn more about Bukusu, Luhya and African culture and get insights into the life and lived environment of our forefathers.
Crawling creatures in Bukusu
Likhumuniu
Snails.
Lisa
Caterpillar.
Caterpillars were somewhat of a favorite among the Bukusu. As a child, knowing about how to live with lisa was one of those things that took the format of: the experience, then the lesson. After my fair share of nasty encounters with the following caterpillars, my lovely mother educated me on their ways and their importance to my people. I urge you to indulge so as to be forewarned: From caterpillars that sooth children to those that bring death – All about lisa among the Bukusu.
Liliambo
Earth worm
Lisibili
Dung worm.
Lisibili, masibili in plural, were a much loved Luhya delicacy. Also enjoyed by African people across the continent including the people of Ghana, they are hard to come by which only serves to make them the more desired. To enjoy, all one had to do was to toss the dung worm (dirt and all) over a naked fire, a sizzle, a quick turn and there you had a quick rich snack to enjoy. Masibili is also a common name for boys among the Bukusu, Luhya.
Enyende ye muchoo
Maggot.
Literally, the ‘jigger/worm’ of the toilet.
Enyanja
Centipede.
Chinjukha
Worms.
Likongolio
Millipede.
Other Common Tiny Beings, Bugs and Insects in Bukusu
Sing’eng’e
Mosquito.
Lisilili
Cockroach.
Chinda
Lice.
Members of The Ant Family in Lubukusu
Chukuni
Small ant.
Limonywe
Ant.
Chindang’unywe
Safari ants.
Likokowe/Pokochai
The ting sugar eating ant.
If there ever was a Lubuksu of the English-language nursery rhyme “Johnny Johnny Yes Papa” about a child caught by his father eating sugar when he is not supposed to, the child would be named likokowe or pokochai. This is because in likokowe/pokochai is a common pet for such little ones with sweet tooth.
Namukholondo
A foul smelling big ant.
Liachichi
An edible big ant.
Lumelela
Safari ants. The much dreaded siafu.
Beetles in Lubukusu
Namwefunde
Beetle that ‘eats’ timber.
Likhutiulu
The brown-yellow beetle.
Musa kwe mumasisie
The dung beetle.
The Termite Family
Termites are chiswa in Lubukusu.
Chiswa chikhupaka are a much loved Luhya delicacy. One of the biggest joys of my childhood was the work, let’s call it the art and craft of harvesting termites for food. While chiswa chisiisi, the termite of ‘termite season’, was much loved nothing beat the joy of trapping and harvesting chiswa chisiisi.
Naming’awe
Big worker termite.
Chiswa
White termites.
Eswa efure
Termite without wings.
Kamake
Worker termites.
Related: Everything tsitswa – edible yummy and taboo termites according to the Maragoli of Kenya
Names of Other Insects in Bukusu
Litete
Grasshopper
Namukhuni
leech
Bulolo
Chisusi
Bedbug
Embuko
Tsetse fly
Bichinji
Fleas
Biku
Weevils
Embwa ya wele
A family of unrelated water creatures and insects in Bukusu with the dubious distinction of being known as embwa ya wele; literally meaning, ‘God’s dogs’.
VIDEO FROM MULEMBE NATION
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAA1dYz0ZuU[/embedyt]Bipurupuru
Butterfly
Bikolokolo
Nandeti we tosi
This bug has the most interesting of descriptions that has found use as a common Bukusu saying. It is reputed to come out clean even when
Enyende
Jigger.
Kamaranba
Wasps.
Lububi
Spider.
Chisii
Houseflies.
Enjukhi
Bees.
Biukha
Fruit flies.
Bikua
Ticks.
Bichinji
Mite.
Lichinjiriba
Cricket.
Bing’unyung’unyu
Namusiekhele
Biurunguru
Kukaba nyama
Dragon fly.
Esienene
Namwefunde
Efucho
About Lubukusu
Bukusu language or Lubukusu is the tongue of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of mulembe. Learn how to speak Bukusu language through our free lessons in Bukusu language; our stories on Bukusu culture that harness the richness of Lubukusu in their narrative; our continuous search for the meaning of different Bukusu proverbs and sayings; and if your Lubukusu is already good enough, sharpen and challenge yourself with our new blog sibukusu that covers everything Bukusu in the purest Lubukusu.
Get started with our mega post: 130+ common Bukusu words and phrases their meaning, translation and pronunciation.
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