Traditional and contemporary Bukusu culture covered in refreshing detail and breadth; along rites of passage, stages of life and events such as: birth, naming, circumcision, marriage, burial and death.
Back when I was a small girl, the days when I was still dressed like eswa efure, a termite with without wings, life in the village had its joys and pains. One of the pains I encountered was the need for me to deal with caterpillars. Let me just say it upfront. I hate and … Read more
Am that kind of person who whenever I go visiting long lost relatives, they always exclaim: ” Hata tujakuwa na mvua, umetuletea baraka!” Blessings or not, rain always seems to stalk me. Be it important or not so important, solemn or festive life events, it almost always get washed out. Here is the story of … Read more
We learn all that pertains khuminya; a rite that’s central to Luhya traditional circumcision ceremony through the lens of my childhood adventures. Back when we were growing up, life in the village was sweet to the bone. Especially come every August of even years. The arrival of this special 8th month ushered the circumcision year … Read more
A recent tiring experience helping out a friend who’d become a new father got me wondering: Had we become ‘soft’? Sitting from where they sit seeing us haggling with mama mboga for the best prices on kienyeji vegetables, would our grandfathers be proud? How was it like for them in their days? Was there male … Read more
Wisdom from our forefathers on good living, perfect health and wellness gleaned from our ultimate list of Bukusu proverbs on health. Disclaimer: First things first. Please note that I am in no way offering medical advice. Nor is this article intended to substitute medical expertise. Part of our task (that we do with love, commitment … Read more
Among my people, to be a man, you have to be honorable and ask for a girls hand in marriage the right way. For the Bukusu, this includes writing a letter of intent and when granted, expertly navigating your first meeting with her family known as the show up or introduction. Today I want to … Read more
This is why you can’t herd a few goats and claim to have paid Bukusu dowry Gaining the status of in-law to a Luhya family is one of the best decisions one can make. For us, an in-law is the most sacred, most important relation one can have. Especially so if your in-laws are Bukusu. … Read more
What is khurunga kumurwe? The story of a young love cut short and a man determined to honor the love of his life one last time. Long time ago when I was growing up in the village, when everybody knew each other and what each was up to, I happened to meet a new lady … Read more
We explore the meaning of the Bukusu proverb ‘enyama yo mundu eli nga yemboko, okinyolela khusibumba‘ which translates to: the meat of a human being is not like that of a buffalo, if you find it you are as good as dead. This search for meaning, takes us on a journey into Bukusu and Luhya … Read more
Wife inheritance was one of the key contributors to polygamy of the polygyny type (embalikha) among the Bukusu. The following cultural practice best described via the Bukusu words mukha rarao omutiti obeya busa, is still commonly practiced. Thus, it’s cultural importance is not lost on us. For a father to take his son’s woman, an … Read more
