Nololelela nisyo engokho elia sokilia ta! If you look at what chicken eat, you’ll never eat chicken. My people, the Bukusu, consider chicken (engoho in Kimaragoli, éengokho Lubukusu) a honorable delicacy. The cultural importance of chicken among the Luhya cannot be understated. Therefore, when I say that chicken is ‘honored’ pay attention. And to those … Read more
A satirical look at aspects of modern contemporary and traditional Luhya culture; and how our way of life is set to change with the coronavirus pandemic. This is life in mulembe in the time of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 virus). Any other weekend without meaningful football – read the English Premier League – would have been spent … Read more
Gather around it’s time for another story. The curious story of Manyonge and on taking chances that leads us to the meaning of the popular Bukusu proverb: Lelo nyo kanyolile kakanyola embichi musipwoni. Bill Grates organized an enormous session to recruit a new chairman for Microsoft Europe. 5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One … Read more
If you grew up or have stayed in the village but you never cleaned up in a “washroom” constructed by banana leaves (sisakati) whose floor composed of a patchwork of cobblestones, humbly accept that you grew up privileged. There, I said it. If my unsolicited opinion brings up anxieties over your self-diagnosis of a serious … Read more
Growing up Luhya, there were fewer things more blasphemous than calling your senje, aunt. Worse, auntie. But who is senge or senje anyway? Highlights According to Sauti Sol’s senje is the ‘random aunt who everyone relates to’. Growing up Luhya, senje is how you and your paternal aunt would call each other. Strictly speaking senje … Read more
Speaking to her bros seeking some accommodation passing gravy at dinner; followed by makn’ bacon in the morning; thereafter killing the day with Netflix and chill; not forgetting to check the oil before heading out, our resident author Sade Khalai shakes the guard spilling secrets on booty calls, sexual euphemisms and saucy tips on how … Read more
My first formal sex education lesson occurred after one of my cousins had been circumcised when I participated in a ceremony called khutiukha. The Bukusu, my people, are not shamed by sex. Sex education for us begins early. But it doesn’t happen in the drab fashion of today: formal classrooms with uneasy teachers doling out … Read more
As I equivocally stated before, we the people of mulembe are a people of love. The spirit of mulembe is that of warmth. That of love. Of companionship. That of a man loving his woman. And of women finding joy in keeping their beds warm; making sure her man is tethered to her sheets. Therefore, … Read more
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
Here at mulembenation.co.ke, we have been reliably informed by our coverage on Luhya culture. From trees of cultural cultural significance among the Luhya to this latest installment of life lessons from our environment that looks at birds of cultural significance among the Luhya, our thirst for knowledge from our ancestors is satiated. Today I want … Read more
