Chinyimba are a pair of traditional bell-like adornments cum musical instruments that are won around the wrists of an initiate, omusinde. The initiate strikes the metal bells using a metal rod to produce a high pitched, fast, rhythmic jingle that’s the heartbeat of khuminya and khulanga rites during the Bukusu circumcision ceremony.
Singular: Enyimba.
The Bukusu circumcision ceremony is important to the health of the community of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of mulembe, because it brings together kith and kin in … Read more
Were you circumcised in the traditional way? This is a common, albeit rude, question that Gents face whenever they identify themselves as Bukusu. So popular is the Bukusu traditional circumcision … 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 … Read more
