Admittedly, when when it comes to insect food for human, any mention of Luhya immediately brings up tsitswa, or chiswa, the much beloved delicacy among the Luhya: termites. But as this as section will reveal, there’s much in stories, culture and experiences that the world can learn from the Luhya of Kenya as it explores insects as food for humans in its search of a more sustainable way of feeding future generations.
In Kenya termites, as food, is considered a uniquely Luhya thing. As such, some have termed termites a bizarre food choice. It’s a lazy take that betrays ignorance on the nutritional benefits of termites. Further, the insipidness of such a take on a gourmet Luhya delicacy leaves a bad taste. I find the promise of … Read more
Chiswa chisiisi, a Luhya delicacy, is the termite of ‘termite season’. I recall the joys of my childhood trapping, harvesting and storing chiswa chisiisi. One time I was watching news and heard a senior politician calling my people, the people of Mulembe, a people who are known as honest and sincere communicators; people who love … Read more
Chiswa chikhupaka are a much loved Luhya delicacy. A story from my childhood on the joys, work, art and craft of harvesting termites for food. The village where I was born has its dry season very late November, throughout December and a large part of January. Often in November and December, schools were closed. Those … Read more
Chiswa chikhupaka are a much loved Luhya delicacy. A story from my childhood on the joys, work, art and craft of harvesting termites for food. The village where I was born has its dry season very late November, throughout December and a large part of January. Often in November and December, schools were closed. Those … Read more
