How did the sons and daughters of Mwambu and Sela come to be known as Babukusu? Today we entertain one theory on the meaning and origin of Bukusu name.
What’s in a name? In most of Africa, names have meaning. We are named after animals, the weather, our culture, basically anything. Sometimes we are given names just because a grandfather or other progenitor was named so, even if the name bears no unique meaning. We know that the Maragoli got their name from their father Mulogoli. How Mulogoli got this name and the meaning of Mulogoli is a story for another day. Today, its all about the Bukusu. So how did Luhya community’s largest house get to be called the Bukusu?
You are known by two ways: by who you say you are, and by who others say we are. Today, we look at how Mbukusu (one individual) and Babukusu (the community) came to identify themselves with an identity which was known to outsiders. The name Babukusu was given to the community by other people who came into contact with them.
The meaning and origin of Bukusu name
The Babukusu used to barter with other ethnic nations. For example they traded with Samia people (a sub- nation of Luhya community living in Busia district in Western Kenya). So when the Samia people took their goods to sell to Babukusu, they (Babukusu) used to inquire about the bukusi (price) of the goods. The Babukusu were then referred to as babandu be bukusi (the “price people”).
To date, till now they are called Babukusu.
If you don’t believe me, ask the next Bukusu you meet about anything relating to the cost of living, inflation or the market. If they don’t frequently refer to bukusi in their answer in vernacular, I owe you a chicken.
Article Sources
- Maelo, M. (2014). The manifestation of Nationalism in Bukusu funeral oratory. International Journal of Education and Research, Vol. 2(No. 11). https://www.ijern.com/journal/2014/November-2014/28.pdf
