Oluyia

In the simplest of ways, oluyia means heat in Luhya language. The heat you feel under your collar on a hot day. The warmth of a community huddled around a fire most evenings, to discuss events around them and issues affecting their unit. In traditional Luhya society, every member of the community belonged to an oluyia organized around family and the clan system. Indeed the term Luhya or Luhyia or Luyia is thought to have originated from this understanding of oluyia – a people together.

PART 1A: Remembering Chetambe War – The First Battle Of Lumboka

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poster battle of lumboka I featuring image of African warriors in battle

In this part of the series, I remember the first battle of Lumboka. A battle whose significance has been lost to confusion. Read on to meet the forgotten heroes of Lumboka. About The Series In this first part of the Mulembe Nation series that honors the memory of the gallant shujaas of Chetambe, I detail … Read more

Kushoma Echiriri (Siniini): Why That River Chwele Accident Involving A Nzoia Sugar Truck Remains With Us To This Day

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poster with shadow of palm tree as image featuring the words echiriri, siniini, ekilili

Growing up in the village, one often assumes that living in the center of the action so to say, they by default know their ways. But that’s until the never-before happens. In may case, it happened with the River Chwele accident. A tragedy that ushered the saddest days of our childhoods. Whose aftermath lifted the … Read more

Ikine On Tour: 11 Things Kamba That Shocked The Man From Shamberere While On A Sojourn In Ukambani

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Entrance to the Machakos Peoples park in Machakos town, the historical capital of Ukambani

My name is Ikine, my teacher in school used to call me Ignatius. I come from a place of kings called Shamberere in Western Kenya. These are the tales from my travels. This is why I will forever remember Ukambani. I was just there, under a tree in my luuya thinking hard about the days … Read more