Join us as we learn the names of trees in Luhya. Today we get to know facts, cultural importance and uses of Irojo or Munyama through stories, taboos, beliefs and science.
Quick facts about Irojo or Munyama
Scientific Name
Type and how it looks like
Evergreen medium to large tree with handsome glossy leaves
Common names:
- Natal mahogany, woodland mahogany, Christmas bells, red ash, thunder tree (For cultural comparison, meet libono tree – a mythological tree which the Maragoli tribe of the Luhya of Kenya believe acts like a lightening arrestor), Cape mahogany (English)
- Mafura (It’s a seed oil; oil in Swahili is mafuta), mkungwina, mnwamaji, mtimai, mtimaji, musikili, muwamaji (Swahili)
Other Luhya names for Irojo or Munyama:
- Munyama,
- Musinzi
Interesting facts and importance of Irojo or Munyama in Luhya culture
This tree is among trees and shrubs native to Kakamega Forest National Reserve and Kibiri Forest in Vihiga county. It is a tree of medicinal value to the Luhya people.
References
- Featured image of leaves [Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Flickr ]
- Knowledge image of seeds in pod [JMK, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Hello Mulembe Nation, mti wa isokonde ni mti mgani?