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Khuminya

Learn all about khuminya, a traditional Bukusu dance cum ritual that is the hallmark of the Bukusu circumcision ceremony.

poster of khulanga the bukusu circumcision tradition with image of two boys in traditional regalia dancing and blowing whistles

Meet khulanga, a tradition at the heart of the Bukusu circumcision ceremony

Luhya traditional circumcision /

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 celebration of life, progress and continuity. The tradition of khulanga, makes this possible. To date, the Bukusu of Kenya hold their customs and traditions sacred. […]

Meet khulanga, a tradition at the heart of the Bukusu circumcision ceremony Read More »

All about ‘changa style ndolekho’, the penultimate dance of the Bukusu traditional circumcision ceremony

Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture, Luhya traditional circumcision /

Changa style ndolekho is not a challenge to pronounce lightly. You better be prepared, you have to know how to strut your stuff on the dance floor. Most importantly, you must be prepared to leave it all there. Whenever, in the ceremony known as khuchukhila, a omusinde form Bayemba clan pours water that he’s fetched

All about ‘changa style ndolekho’, the penultimate dance of the Bukusu traditional circumcision ceremony Read More »

poster with image of broken plate titled burst beer broken dreama kamalawa kakatikhe

The pitiful story of omusinde whose beer delayed khuyusia, how not to suffer kamalwa kakatikhe

Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture, Learn Luhya, Learn Lubukusu - Bukusu Language, Luhya traditional circumcision /

Four things. One: omusinde. Two: a proud father. Three: kamalwa khuyusia, ancestors’ timely but unwelcome lessons, the elusive nature of trust and kamalwa kakatikhe. This is the story of a boy whose big day, well, let’s just say it burst. The Bukusu people have a number of sayings about beer. Regulars here have already benefited

The pitiful story of omusinde whose beer delayed khuyusia, how not to suffer kamalwa kakatikhe Read More »

poster with image of beer froth titled kamalwa khamakhalange

Meet makhalanje aka tsimbale aka kamalwa kamakhalange: The humble traditional Luhya fermented food that’s been paid as a queen’s bride price, is key when making men out of boys, is enjoyed by the high and mighty and more interesting stories

Freedom Fighters, Shujaas and Modern Day Luhya Heroes, Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture, Prominent Luhyas /

Among the Luhya the traditional beer, kamalwa, is made from spontaneously fermented maize flour. The fermented flour is sun dried then fried in a pan until it assumes a coarse powder form. When in this state, it is known as kamalwa kamakhalange or simply kamakhalange. Also: Makhalanje, tsimbale, mkarango. My people simply cannot resist kamalwa

Meet makhalanje aka tsimbale aka kamalwa kamakhalange: The humble traditional Luhya fermented food that’s been paid as a queen’s bride price, is key when making men out of boys, is enjoyed by the high and mighty and more interesting stories Read More »

poster with dark yellow background and words the traditional Bukusu circumcision ceremony - everything you'll ever need to know

Speak with authority on Bukusu traditional circumcision ceremony like a true son or daughter of the soil: Who is omusinde? What is sisingilo? And other important vocabulary

Luhya traditional circumcision, Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture /

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 ceremony that it is sure to dominate conversations. If for one reason or another your knowledge on your peoples ways isn’t up to scratch, that’s

Speak with authority on Bukusu traditional circumcision ceremony like a true son or daughter of the soil: Who is omusinde? What is sisingilo? And other important vocabulary Read More »

Grey scale poster with the words khutiukha, an elaborate bukusu sex education ceremony

Meet khutiukha: the elaborate Bukusu sex education ceremony that made us quality women and made men of honor of omufulu (fresh initiates)

Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture, Luhya traditional circumcision /

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

Meet khutiukha: the elaborate Bukusu sex education ceremony that made us quality women and made men of honor of omufulu (fresh initiates) Read More »

poster titled khuminya with image of peeled banana

Down khuminya memory lane: Reliving naughty childhood adventures escorting basinde through the village whilst singing circumcision songs

Luhya traditional circumcision, Bukusu Culture, Luhya Culture /

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

Down khuminya memory lane: Reliving naughty childhood adventures escorting basinde through the village whilst singing circumcision songs Read More »