Luhya people

The Luhya (also known as Abaluyia or Luyia) comprise a number of Bantu ethnic groups native to western Kenya. They are divided into 20 (or 21, when the Suba are included) culturally and linguistically related tribes.

Abaluhya (Luyia)

M. Wamalwa Mudavadi E. Wamalwa Ayisi Makatiani
Total population
11,743,149 -20,000,000 ^[1]
Regions with significant populations
Kenya
Languages
Luhya
Religion
Christianity, African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Masaba people and other Great Lakes Bantu People

Person	OmuLuyia
People	AbaLuyia
Language	OluLuyia
Country	EbuLuyia

Luhya refers to both the 20 Luhya clans and their respective languages collectively called Luhya languages. There are 20 clans that make up the Luhya. Each has a distinct dialect based on the locality of the speakers. The different dialects shows maturity of the Luhya language. The Luhya language can only be equated to the Baganda, Soga and Lugisu language in Uganda. The Luhya culture is similary to Great lakes region Bantu speakers that stretches all the way from their anceral land in DRC. The word Luhya or Luyia in some of the dialects means "the north", and Abaluhya (Abaluyia) thus means "people from the north". Other translations are "those of the same hearth."

The seventeen sub-tribes are the Bukusu (Aba-Bukusu), Idakho (Av-Idakho), Isukha (Av-Isukha), Kabras (Aba-Kabras), Khayo (Aba-Khayo), Kisa (Aba-Kisa), Marachi (Aba-Marachi), Maragoli (Aba-Logoli), Marama (Aba-Marama), Nyala (Aba-Nyala), Nyole (Aba-Nyole), Samia (Aba-Samia), Tachoni (Aba-Tachoni), Tiriki (Aba-Tiriki), Tsotso (Abatsotso), Wanga (Aba-Wanga), and Batura (Abatura) and the Abasiaya. They are closely related to the Masaba (or Gisu), whose language is mutually intelligible with Luhya. The Bukusu and the Maragoli are the two largest Luhya sub-tribes.

A traditional house built in rural Western Kenya famous by the Luyha community

The principal traditional settlement area of the Luhya is in what was formerly the Western province. A substantial number of them permanently settled in the Kitale and Kapsabet areas of the former Rift Valley province. Western Kenya is one of the most densely populated parts of Kenya.^[2] Migration to their present Luhyaland (a term of endearment referring to the Luhya's primary place of settlement in Kenya after the Bantu expansion) dates back to as early as the 7 BC.

Immigrants into present-day Luhyaland trace their ancestry with several Bantu groups and Cushitic groups,^[which?] as well as peoples like the Kalenjin, Luo, and Maasai. By 1850, migration into Luhyaland was largely complete, and only minor internal movements occurred after that due to disease, droughts, domestic conflicts and the effects of British colonialism.

Origins and history

 

Location of Western Province in Kenya.

Overview

Anthropologists believe that the progenitors of the Luhya were part of the great Bantu expansion out of Central Africa around 1000 BC.^{[clarification needed]} In sharp contrast with anthropologists, the Maragoli oral history states that they migrated into what is now Kenya, from Misri (Arab word for Egypt). However, the majority of the other Luhya tribes are mostly from present day Uganda and are diverse in origin.^[3][4]

The most powerful centralized kingdom in what is now Kenya was founded by the Wanga.

The Wanga would sometimes hire Maasai and Kalenjin mercenaries to fight for them.^[5] The Wanga incorporated most of the Luhya tribes as well as territories to the east, southeast, west and southwest occupied by the Luo, Kipsigis, Nandi, and Masai.

Pre-colonial period

Before the advent of colonialism, the Luhya, just as most other ethnic groups in Africa, defined their boundaries based on occupation of territory by a community of peoples with similar language, cultural traditions or under leadership of a particular ruler or king.

Their territory neighboured the Baganda, Basoga and Bagisu of present-day Uganda, and the Luo, Teso, and Nandi of present-day Kenya. The territory occupied by the Bantu around Lake Victoria and to the north of Lake Victoria was known as Kavirondo. When the British came into the area, they coined the term Bantu Kavirondo to refer to the Luhya and other Bantu communities in the area while Nilotic Kavirondo was used to refer to the AbaLuo.

On the onset of colonialism in Kenya, the Wanga were ruled by Nabongo Mumia. The Wanga kingdom was and is a derivative of the Baganda. It was the most powerful and centralized kingdom in the region. Other leaders among the Luhya were known as Baami (singular Mwami), a title translating to 'Kings' or 'Lords.'

The British explorer Henry Morton Stanley made a voyage around Lake Victoria, and Joseph Thomson, the Scottish geologist, passed through Luhya territory around 1883. Thomson met Nabongo Mumia and influenced British relations with the Wanga Kingdom in the region. The construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway beginning from 1898 further opened opportunities for European interaction with the Luhya and other communities in the western part of Kenya. Nabongo Mumia's dominion extended to other Luhya subgroups such as the Kabras and the Tsotso.

In the late 1800s, when European nations began their Scramble for Africa, they mapped African boundaries to suit their interests in the continent. With the lion's share of colonies going to the British, in 1895, the region of East Africa was declared to be a British Protectorate. It was further divided into British East Africa, (present-day Kenya) and the Uganda Protectorate (present-day Uganda).

As all the land in Kenya, west of Naivasha was mapped within the Uganda Protectorate, the Luhya people and other Kenyan communities were included in the Ugandan territory. In 1902, the boundaries were remapped and the Luhya peoples including the Wanga kingdom and their neighbouring communities which were on the eastern part of Uganda, were annexed to Kenya.

Colonial period

The first European the Luhya had contact with was probably Henry Morton Stanley as he voyaged around Lake Victoria. In 1883, Joseph Thomson was the first European known to pass through Luhya territory on foot, and was influential in opening the region to Europeans after his meeting with King Mumia of the Wanga Kingdom.

The Wanga Kingdom was very similar to the Baganda kingdom and other monarchies in Uganda, a unique form of government among the Luhya. Mumia was the last sovereign king of the Wanga, and because of ethnocentric British beliefs, was called a chief.

The Bukusu strongly resisted British incursions into their territory in the 1890s. In 1895, they fought the British from a stronghold near Bungoma on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon called "Chetambe's Fort". The British had machine guns and massacred over a hundred Bukusu warriors in the stronghold, who were armed with spears, hide shields, bows and quivers of arrows.

In the 1940s and 1950s the Bukusu resisted the British under the leadership of Elijah Masinde, a religious sect leader and prophet who demanded the return of their lands. Masinde was imprisoned during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s, but was released to his home area at independence in 1963.

The Kabras and the Wanga collaborated peacefully with the British. Most Luhyas from the Kabras subgroup joined the colonial-era police forces. Nabongo Mumia, was forced to sign treaties with the British after being defeated, this allowed the colonial authorities to subject his people to British rule.

Significant numbers of the Luhya fought for the British in the Second World War, many as volunteers in the Kenya African Rifles (KAR). As with many African societies, the Luhya also named their children after significant events. Consequently, many Luhya people born around the time of the Second World War were named "Keyah", a transliteration of "KAR", the acronym for the King's African Rifles.

Other famous chiefs during the colonial time included Ndombi wa Namusia, Sudi Namachanja, Namutala and Ongoma Laurende. [2]

Luhya sub-tribes and clans

 

The four traditional districts of Western Province, Kenya.

Luhya tribe	Population 2020	Luhya variety^[6]	Region
Luhya	3,944,257		Busia (Kenya)
Bukusu	1,188,968	Lubukusu	Bungoma (Kenya)
Idakho	54,661	Lwidakho	Kakamega (Kenya)
Isukha	101,789	Lwisukha	Kakamega (Kenya)
Kabras	136,546	Lukabarasi	Kakamega (Kenya)
Khayo	68,703	Olukhayo	Busia (Kenya)
Kisa	45,135	Olushisa	Kakamega (Kenya)
Maragoli	934,926	Lulogooli	Maragoli, Vihiga (Kenya)
Marachi	65,633	Olumarachi/Bumarachi	Busia (Kenya)
Marama	43,075	Olumarama	Kakamega (Kenya)
Nyala	227,165	Lunyala (east), Lunyala (west)	Busia (Kenya)
Nyole		Lonyole (Uganda), Olunyore (Kenya)	Vihiga (Kenya), Tororo (Uganda)
Samia	84,828	Lusamia	Busia (Kenya)
Tachoni	85,597	Lutachoni	Lugari, Malava (Kenya)
Tiriki	93,393	Lutirichi	Vihiga (Kenya)
Tsotso	92,687	Olutsotso	Kakamega (Kenya)
Wanga	94,190	Oluwanga	Kakamega District (Kenya)

1. The Bukusu speak Lubukusu and occupy Bungoma , Mount Elgon district and Trans Nzoia. The clans of the Bukusu include the Bamutilu, Babuya, Batura, Bamalaba, Bamwale, Bakikayi, Basirikwa, Baechale, Baechalo, Bakibeti, Bakhisa, Bamwayi Bamwaya, Bang'oma, Basakali, Bakiabi, Baliuli, Bamuki, Bakhona, Bakoi, Bameme, Basombi, Bakwangwa, Babutu (descendants of Mubutu also found in Congo), Bakhoone, Baengele (originally Banyala), Balonja, Batukwika, Baboya, Baala, Balako, Basaba, Babuya, Barefu, Bamusomi, Batecho, Baafu, Babichachi, Bamula, Balunda, Babulo, Bafumo, Bayemba, Baemba, Bayaya, Baleyi, Baembo, Bamukongi, Babeti, Baunga, Bakuta, Balisa, Balukulu, Balwonja, Bamalicha, Bamukoya, Bamuna, Bamutiru, Bayonga, Bamang'ali, Basefu, Basekese, Basenya, Basime, Basimisi, Basibanjo, Basonge, Batakhwe, Batecho, Bachemayi, Bachemwile, Bauma, Baumbu, Bakhoma, Bakhonjo, Bakhwami, Bakhulaluwa, Baundo, Bachemuluku, Bafisi, Bakobolo, Bamatiri, Bamakhuli, Bameywa, Bahongo, Basamo, Basang'alo, Basianaga, Basioya, Bachambayi, Bangachi, Babiya, Baande, Bakhone, Bakimwei, Batilu, Bakhurarwa, Bakamukong'i, Baluleti, Babasaba, Bakikai, Bhakitang'a, Bhatemlani, Bhasakha, Bhatasama, Bhakiyabi, Banywaka, Banyangali, etc. For a complete list of Bukusu clans see Shadrack Amakoye Bulimo's new book Luyia Nation: Origins, Clans and Taboos ISBN 978-1-4669-7837-9^[7]

2. The Samia speak Lusamia and occupy Southern Region of Busia District (Busia county), Kenya. The clans of the Samia of include the Abatabona, Abadongo, Abakhino, Abakhulo, Abakangala, Abasonga, Ababukaki, Ababuri, Abalala, Abanyiremi, Abakweri, Abajabi, Abakhoba, Abakhwi, Abadulu,

3. The Khayo speak Lukhayo and occupy Nambale District and Matayos Division of Busia County, Kenya. Khayo clans include the Abaguuri, Abasota, Abakhabi.

4. The Marachi speak Lumarachi and occupy Butula District in Busia county. Marachi clans include Ababere, Abafofoyo, Abamuchama, Abatula, Abamurono, Abang'ayo, Ababule, Abamulembo, Abatelia, Abapwati, Abasumia, Abarano, Abasimalwa, Abakwera, Abamutu, Abamalele, Abakolwe, Ababonwe, Abamucheka, Abaliba, Ababirang'u, Abakolwe, Abade. Abasubo. The name Marachi is derived from Ng'ono Mwami's father who was called Marachi son of Musebe, the son of Sirikwa.So all the Marachi clans owed their allegiance to Ng'ono Mwami from whose lineage of Ababere clan they were founded. The name Marachi was given further impetus by the war-like lifestyle of the descendants of Ng'ono who ruthlessly fought off the Luo expansion of the Jok Omollo a Nilotic group that sought to control the Nzoia and Sio Rivers in the area and the fishing grounds around the gulf of Erukala and Ebusijo-modern Port Victoria and Sio Port respectively.

5. The Nyala speak Lunyala and occupy Busia District. Other Nyala (Abanyala ba Kakamega) occupy the north western part of Kakamega District. The Banyala of Kakamega are said to have migrated from Busia with a leader known as Mukhamba. They speak the same dialect as the Banyala of Busia, save for minor differences in pronunciation. The Abanyala ba Kakamega are also known as Abanyala ba Ndombi. They reside in Navakholo Division North of Kakamega forest. Their one-time powerful colonial chief was Ndombi wa Namusia. Chief Ndombi was succeeded by his son, Andrea.

Andrea was succeeded by Paulo Udoto, Mukopi, Wanjala, Barasa Ongeti, Matayo Oyalo and Muterwa in that order.

The clans of the Banyala include Abahafu, Ababenge, Abachimba, Abadavani, Abaengere, Abakangala, Abakhubichi, Abakoye, Abakwangwachi, Abalanda, Abalecha, Abalindo, Abamani, Abalindavyoki, Abamisoho, Abamuchuu, Abamugi, Abamulembo, Abasinyama, Abamwaya, Abanyekera, Abaokho, Abasaacha, Abasakwa, Abasaya, Abasenya, Abasia, Abasiloli, Abasonge (also found among Kabras), Abasumba, Abasuu, Abatecho (also found among Bukusu), Abaucha, Abauma, Abaumwo, Abacharia, Abayaya, Abayirifuma (also found among Tachoni), Abayisa, Abayundo and Abasiondo, Abachende.

The Banyala do not intermarry with someone from the same clan.

6. The Kabras speak Lukabarasi and occupy the northern part of Kakamega district. The Kabras were originally Banyala. They reside principally in Malava, in Kabras Division of Kakamega district. The Kabras (or Kabarasi, Kavalasi and Kabalasi) are sandwiched by the Isukha, Banyala and the Tachoni.

The name "Kabras" comes from Avalasi which means 'Warriors' or 'Mighty Hunters.' They were fierce warriors who fought with the neighbouring Nandi for cattle and were known to be fearless. This explains why they are generally fewer in number compared to other Luhya tribes such as the Maragoli and Bukusu.

They claim to be descendants of Nangwiro associated with the Biblical Nimrod. The Kabras dialect sounds like the Tachoni dialect. Kabras clans include the Abamutama, Basonje, Abakhusia, Bamachina, Abashu, Abamutsembi, Baluu, Batobo, Bachetsi and Bamakangala. They were named after the heads of the families.

The Kabras were under the rulership of Nabongo Mumia of the Wanga and were represented by an elder in his Council of Elders. The last known elder was Soita Libukana Samaramarami of Lwichi village, Central Kabras, near Chegulo market. When the Quaker missionaries spread to Kabras they established the Friends Church (Quakers) through a missionary by the name of Arthur Chilson, who had started the church in Kaimosi, in Tiriki. He earned a local name, Shikanga, and his children learned to speak Kabras as they lived and interacted with the local children.

7. The Tsotso speak Olutsotso and occupy the western part of Kakamega district. Tsotso clans include the Abangonya, Abashisiru, Abamweche, Abashibo,

8. The Idakho speak Lwidakho and occupy the southern part of Kakamega district. Their clans include the Abashimuli, Abashikulu, Abamasaba, Abashiangala, Abamusali, Abangolori, Abamahani, Abamuhali.

9. The Isukha speak Lwisukha and occupy the eastern part of Kakamega district. Isukha clans include the Abarimbuli, Abasaka- Ia, Abamakhaya, Abitsende, Abamironje, Abayokho, Abakusi, Abamahalia, Abimalia, Abasuiwa, Abatsunga, Abichina, Abashilukha, Bakhumbwa, Baruli, Abatura, Abashimutu, Abashitaho, Abakhulunya, Abasiritsa, Abakhaywa, Abasaiwa, Abakhonyi, Abatecheri, Abayonga, Abakondi, Abaterema, and Abasikhobu.

10. The Maragoli speak Lulogooli and occupy Vihiga district. Maragoli clans include Avamumbaya, Avamuzuzu, Avasaali, Avakizungu, Avavurugi, Avakirima, Avamaabi, Avanoondi, Avalogovo, Avagonda, Avamutembe, Avasweta, Avamageza, Avagizenbwa, Avaliero, Avasaniaga, Avakebembe, Avayonga, Avagamuguywa, Avasaki, Avamasingira, Avamaseero, Avasanga, Avagitsunda.

11. The Nyole speak Olunyole and occupy Bunyore in Vihiga district. Nyole clans include Abakanga, Abayangu, Abasiekwe, Abatongoi, Abasikhale, Aberranyi, Abasakami, Abamuli, Abasubi (Abasyubi), Abasiralo, Abalonga, Abasiratsi. Abamang’ali, Abanangwe, Abasiloli, Ab’bayi, Abakhaya, Abamukunzi and Abamutete.

12. The Tiriki speak Ludiliji and occupy Tiriki in Vihiga district. Tiriki clans include Balukhoba, Bajisinde, Bam'mbo, Bashisungu, Bamabi, Bamiluha, Balukhombe, Badura, Bamuli, Barimuli, Baguga, Basianiga and Basuba.

13. The Wanga speak Oluwanga and occupy Mumias and Matungu Districts. The 22 Wanga clans are Abashitsetse, Abakolwe, Abaleka, Abachero, Abashikawa, Abamurono, Abashieni, Abamwima, Abamuniafu, Abambatsa, Abashibe, Ababere, Abamwende, Abakhami, Abakulubi, Abang’ale, Ababonwe, Abatsoye, Abalibo, Abang’ayo, Ababule and Abamulembwa.

14. The Marama speak Lumarama and occupy Butere district. Marama clans include Abamukhula, Abatere, Abashirotsa, Abatsotse, Aberecheya, Abamumbia, Abakhuli, Abakokho, Abakara, Abamatundu, Abamani, Abashieni, Abanyukhu, Abashikalie, Abashitsaha, Abacheya, etc.^[8]

15. The Kisa speak Olushisa and occupy Khwisero district. Kisa clans include Ababoli, Abakambuli, Abachero, abalakayi, Abakhobole, Abakwabi, Abamurono, Abamanyulia, Abaruli, Abashirandu, Abamatundu, Abashirotsa, Abalukulu etc.

16. The Tachoni speak Lutachoni and occupy Lugari, Trans-Nzoia, Likuyani, Bungoma and Malava districts.^[9] Tachoni clans include Abachikha-Abakobolo, Abachambai, Abakabini, Abacharia, and Abamuhonngo-, Abakamutebi, Abamarakalu, Abasang'alo, Abangachi, Abasioya, Abaabiya, Abatecho, Abaengele, Abaabichwa, Abamarakalu, Abamakhanga, Abamakhuli, Abalugulu, Abakubwayi, Abakuusi, Abakamlevi, Abachewa, Abameywa,Abamurundi, Abamua,Abachimuluk, Abachivino, Abanyang'ali, Abarefu, Abasamba, Abasamo, Abaluu, Abayumbu, Abawande, Abaabichu, Abasonge/Abasonje, Abasaniaka, Abamweya, and Abamalicha.^[10] The Saniaga clan found among the Maragoli in Kenya and the Saniak in Tanzania are said to have originally been Tachoni.

Other clans said to have been Tachoni are the Bangachi found among Bagisu of Uganda, and Balugulu, also found in Uganda and the Bailifuma, found among the Banyala.

Although Trans Nzoia is in the Rift Valley province, substantial Luhya populations have settled in the Kitale area.

Population and politics

In Kenyan politics, the Luhya population, commonly referred to as the Luhya vote in an election year, was usually a deciding factor of the outcome of an election. The community was known to unite and vote as a block usually for a specific political candidate without division of mind and regardless of political differences. However, since the March 2013 general elections, this was proved wrong. They are now known to accept different ideologies. Politicians scramble for the Luhya vote since it is the most democratic voter in Kenya.

Given their high population numbers, a political candidate who enjoys Luhya support is almost always poised to win the country's general elections, barring incidents of fraud. The community is thereafter "rewarded" politically, by one of their own being appointed vice president or to a high-profile political office by the winning candidate.

In the 2002 general elections of Kenya, the Luhya proved this point when outgoing president Daniel Arap Moi unexpectedly appointed Musalia Mudavadi as vice president in an attempt to lure Luhyas to vote for Uhuru Kenyatta, his choice of successor with Musalia as running mate. The Luhyas remained adamant in their support for the opposition then led by Mwai Kibaki who also had a Luhya, Michael Kijana Wamalwa as running mate.

The Luhyas dealt a severe blow to Moi's candidate by voting en masse for Kibaki who thereafter won the election with Wamalwa as his vice president. Of the eleven vice presidents of Kenya since independence, three have been Luhyas.

Others who have held high-profile political offices include, Musalia Mudavadi, current deputy Prime Minister formerly 7th Vice President (Sept. 2002 – Dec 2002), Michael Wamalwa Kijana, 8th Vice President of Kenya (January 2003 – August 2003), Moody Awori, 9th Vice President of Kenya (September 2003 – January 2008), Amos Wako, longest-serving Attorney General of Kenya - 19 years in office, Kenneth Marende, Speaker of the National Assembly and Zachaias Chesoni, late former Chief Justice of Kenya.

Culture

 

Luhya children

Luhya culture is comparable to most Bantu cultural practices. Polygamy was a common practice in the past but today, it is only practiced by few people, usually, if the man marries under traditional African law or Muslim law. Civil marriages (conducted by government authorities) and Christian marriages preclude the possibility of polygamy.

About 10 to 15 families traditionally made up a village, headed by a village headman (Omukasa). Oweliguru is a post-colonial title for a village leader coined from the English word "Crew." Within a family, the man of the home was the ultimate authority, followed by his first-born son. In a polygamous family, the first wife held the most prestigious position among women.

The first-born son of the first wife was usually the main heir to his father, even if he happened to be younger than his half-brothers from his father's other wives. Daughters had no permanent position in Luhya families as they would eventually become other men's wives. They did not inherit property and were excluded from decision-making meetings within the family. Today, girls are allowed to inherit property, in accordance with Kenyan law.

Children are named after the clan's ancestors, that is, after their grandparents and after the events, or the weather. The paternal grandparents take precedence, so that the first-born son will usually be named after his paternal grandfather (Kuka or 'Guga' in Maragoli) while the first-born daughter will be named after her paternal grandmother ('Kukhu' or 'Guku' in Maragoli.)

Subsequent children may be named after maternal grandparents, after significant events, such as weather, seasons, etc. The name Wafula, for example, is given to a boy born during the rainy season (ifula). Wanjala is given to one born during famine (injala).

Traditionally, they practiced arranged marriages. The parents of a boy would approach the parents of a girl to ask for her hand in marriage. If the girl agreed, negotiations for dowry would begin. Typically, this would be 12 cattle and similar numbers of sheep or goats, to be paid by the groom's parents to the bride's family. Once the dowry was delivered, the girl was fetched by the groom's sisters to begin her new life as a wife.

Instances of eloping were and are still common. Young men would elope with willing girls, with negotiations for a dowry to be conducted later. In such cases, the young man would also pay a fine to the parents of the girl. In rare cases abductions were normal, but the young man had to pay a fine. As polygamy was allowed, a middle-age man would typically have two to three wives.

When a man got very old and handed over the running of his homestead to his sons, the sons would sometimes find a young woman for the old man to marry. Such girls were normally those who could not find men to marry them, usually because they had children out of wedlock. Wife inheritance was and is also practiced.

A widow would normally be inherited by her husband's brother or cousin. In some cases, the eldest son would inherit his father's widows (though not his own mother). Modern-day Luhyas do not practice some of the traditional customs as most have adopted a Christian way of life. Many Luhyas live in towns and cities for most of their lives and only return to settle in the rural areas after retirement or the death of parents there.

They had extensive customs surrounding death. There would be a great celebration at the home of the deceased, with mourning lasting up to forty days. If the deceased was a wealthy or influential man, a big tree would be uprooted and the deceased would be buried there. After the burial, another tree Mutoto, Mukhuyu or Mukumu would be planted. (This was a sacred tree and is found along most Luhya migration paths it could only be planted by a righteous lady mostly a virgin or a very old lady.)

Nowadays, mourning takes less time (about one week) and the celebrations are held at the time of burial. "Obukoko" and "Lisabo" are post-burial ceremonies held to complete mourning rites.

Animal sacrifices were traditionally practiced. There was great fear of the "Abalosi" or "Avaloji" (witches) and "Babini" (wizards). These were "night-runners" who prowled in the nude running from one house to another casting spells.

Religious Conversion

Most modern-day Luhyas are Christians; for some (if not all) the word for God is Nyasaye or Nyasae (Were Khakaba).

The word Nyasae when translated into English roughly corresponds with Nya (of) and Asae/ Asaye/ Sae/ Saye (Prayer). The Luhya traditionally worshiped an ancient 'god' of the same name (commonly known as Isis, or Were Khakaba. When Christianity was re-introduced to the Luhya in the early 1900s by Christian missionaries from Europe and America, the Luhya peoples took the name of their traditional god, Nyasae, and gave that name to the Living Abrahamic God.

The first Luhyas who were converted to Christianity took words, names, their perceptions of what Christian missionaries told them about the Christian God, and other aspects of their indigenous religious traditions, and applied them to their interpretations of Christ and God.

The Friends Church (Quakers) opened a mission at Kaimosi and the Church of God took over the mission in Bunyore. During the same period, the Catholic order Mill Hill Brothers came to the area of Mumias. The Church of God of Anderson, Indiana, US, arrived in 1905 and began work at Kima in Bunyore. Other Christian groups such as the Anglicans (CMS) came in 1906. In 1924 the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada began their work in Nyan'gori. The Salvation Army came to Malakisi in 1936. The Baptists came to western Kenya in the early 1960s.

The first Bible translation in a Luyia language was produced by Nicholas Stamp in the Wanga language. Osundwa says he did this translation in Mumias, the former capital of the Wanga kingdom of Mumia.

A religious sect known as Dini ya Msambwa was founded by Elijah Masinde in 1948. They worship "Were," the Bukusu god of Mt. Elgon, while at the same time using portions of the Bible to teach their converts. They also practice traditional arts referred to by some as witchcraft.^[11] This movement originally arose as part of an anti-colonial resistance.

Various sources estimate that 75%-90% profess Christianity.^[12]

Initiation

With the smugglers of the Marama and Saamia, male circumcision was practised. A few sub-ethnic groups practiced clitoridectomy but, even in those, it was limited to a few instances and was not as widespread as it was among the Agikuyu. The Maragoli did not practice it at all. Outlawing of the practice by the government led to its end, even though it can occur among the Tachoni.

Traditionally, circumcision was part of a period of training for adult responsibilities for the youth. Among those in Kakamega, the initiation was carried out every four or five years, depending on the clan. This resulted in various age sets notably, Kolongolo, Kananachi, Kikwameti, Kinyikeu, Nyange, Maina, and Sawa in that order.

The Abanyala in Navakholo initiate boys every other year and notably on even years. The initiates are about 8 to 13 years old, and the ceremony was followed by a period of seclusion for the initiates. On their coming out of seclusion, there would be a feast in the village, followed by a period of counselling by a group of elders.

The newly initiated youths would then build bachelor-huts for each other, where they would stay until they were old enough to become warriors. This kind of initiation is no longer practiced among the Kakamega Luhya, with the exception of the Tiriki.

Nowadays, the initiates are usually circumcised in hospital, and there is no seclusion period. On healing, a party is held for the initiate — who then usually goes back to school to continue with his studies.

Among the Bukusu, the Tachoni and (to a much lesser extent) the Nyala and the Kabras, the traditional methods of initiation persist. Circumcision is held every even year in August and December (the latter only among the Tachoni and the Kabras), and the initiates are typically 11 to 15 years old.

Seers

• Maina wa Nalukale,
• Mutonyi wa Nabukelembe (Died among the kabras in the Machina clan)
• Wachiye Wa Naumbwa
• Elija Masinde wa Nameme

Economic activities

Food and agriculture

The main food for the Luhya people like most Kenyans is ugali (made from maize flour/cornmeal) served with vegetables and meat of cattle, goat, fish or chicken; hence food production in the region is targeted to meet this need. The lower counties of Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia grow substance crops of maize on their low acreage plots, they raise chicken and keep cattle. The Upper parts of Bungoma and the Kitale grow large scale maize and produce milk from dairy cows. Fish farming is becoming very prevalent thus producing farm-raised tilapia for consumption. Busia, Mumias and lower Bungoma produce cassava and millet. There is normally a maize supply deficit in the production seasons of the year and a surplus supply during the harvest months resulting in much lower prices to producers during harvest and very high prices to consumers during production months. The producer and consumer may be the same person in different months. The largest sugar production facilities in Kenya are located in the western region where the Luhya people predominantly live. Mumias Sugar Company, Kabras Sugar Company and Nzoia Sugar Company have their contract production zones in the Luhya peoples region, hence sugarcane production is a key commercial enterprise. In Vihiga and some areas of Kakamega, tea bushes are very visible, making tea another key commercial crop grown in this region.

Chicken is a delicacy among the Luhya people, and it is a small leap from raising subsistence chickens to commercial chicken.

While everyone speaks their language, food and commercial farming are very unifying endeavors, the language or dialect people speak do not define what they grow or raise – economics and proximity to market determine that.

Economy

The Luhya people mainly live in the following districts;

In Kenya,

Kakamega- HQ Kakamega town, sugarcane is the main farming activity.

Bungoma- HQ Bungoma town, the main economy is dependent on grains and sugar.

Vihiga- HQ Mbale town Tea farming and grain farming is the main income for locals.

Busia- HQ Busia Town, Fishing and grain farming is the main local activity.

Trans Nzoia- HQ Kitale, Maize farming is the most economic activity.

Busia- HQ Busia town, just like Kenya Samia people are. Both farmers and Fishermen.

Mbale- HQ Mbale town, The Masaba or Gishu people are predominantly Coffee and tea farmers. As they occupy the slopes of My.Elgon. Mbale district of Uganda is considered the most populous rural district with 257 persons per KM square. Mbale town is in the process of being made the second city in Uganda second to Kampala city.^[13]

Luhya peoples also live in Southern and Eastern Uganda, as well as northern Tanzania.

List of Notable Luhya people and People of Luhya Descent

• Notable people
•  

  Moody Awori
  9th Vice President of Kenya

•  

  Mukhisa Kituyi
  Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

•  

  Ayisi Makatiani
  Corporate executive

•  

  McDonald Mariga
  Professional footballer

•  

  Hilary Ng'weno
  Historian and veteran journalist

•  

  Esau Khamati Oriedo
  Anti-colonial activist and politician

•  

  Dr. Blasio Vincent Oriedo
  Pioneering Epidemiologist

•  

  Amos Wako
  Kenyan Senator. Former Attorney General

•  

  Michael Wamalwa
  8th Vice President of Kenya

•  

  Victor Wanyama
  Professional footballer

•  

  Miriam Were
  Academic and Author. Winner of the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.

•  

  Wycliffe Oparanya Governor of Kakamega County

•  

  Judy Wakhungu, Kenyan Ambassador to France

•  

  Eric Edward Khasakhala

•  

  Phyllis Omido, Kenyan environmental activist.

•  

  Moses Wetangula, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bungoma Senator.

•  

  Clifton Miheso, Kenyan Footballer

•  

  Eugene Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary of Devolution

•  

  Musalia Mudavadi

Academics, Medicine and science

• Laban Ayiro, Kenyan academic, currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of Daystar University
• Dr Eusebius Juma Mukhwana, Research er and Academician with extensive work in Agriculture and Higher Education. Currently serving as the Director General of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
• Francis D. Imbuga Kenyan writer, playwright, literature scholar, teacher and professor at Kenyatta University,
• Filemona F. Indire, distinguished statesman, Kenyan ambassador to the Soviet Union, one of Africa's first African university professors, Kenyan Member of Parliament (1983-1988)
• Calestous Juma, distinguished Professor, Harvard University
• Susane Nabulindo, Kenyan consultant anesthesiologist
• Catherine Nyongesa (born in 1970), is a Kenyan physician and radiation oncologist.
• Nanjala Nyabola Kenyan Writer.
• Ken Walibora, Kenyan writer
• Gideon Were (27 October 1934 – 7 July 1995) Kenyan professor
• Dr. Blasio Vincent Oriedo, pioneering African epidemiologist and a parasitological medical scientist known for his contributions to tropical medicine and stemming a myriad of disease epidemics in the colonial era and embryonic postcolonial Kenya, in Sudan and countries in East and Central Africa.
• Miriam Were, Kenyan public health advocate, academic, and recipient of the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
• John Nikola Bwire Osogo (1927-1979), Kenyan educationist and historian.

Politics, activism, trade unionism, diplomacy and law

• Francis Atwoli, Cotu Secretary General and vice president world trade unions
• Moody Awori, 9th Vice President of Kenya (September 2003 – January 2008)
• Aggrey Awori (1939–2021) Ugandan economist
• Joseph Wamukoya (1942-2021), Kenyan Politician and Modern-day Wanga Elder
• Beatrice Elachi is a Kenyan politician
• Nancy Makokha Baraza (born 1957 ) first Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya
• Zacchaeus Chesoni, former Chief Justice
• Cyrus Jirongo, former politician
• Michael Wamalwa Kijana, 8th Vice President of Kenya (January–August 2003)
• Eric Edward Khasakhala (1926–2000) former MP of Emuhaya
• Ruth Habwe (died 1996), Kenyan feminist activist and politician. In 1964 she became notably, a first among women to challenge a male-only parliamentarian system. When she contested one of the three special parliamentary seats vacant at the time, she was suspended from party membership and ridiculed "to go back to the Kitchen and cook for Habwe's children".^[14]
• Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
• Musikari Kombo, Chairman FORD-Kenya, Minister for Local Government
• Alfred Khang'ati Kenyan politician
• George Khaniri Kenyan politician
• Kenneth Marende, Speaker of the National Assembly
• Elijah Masinde, Bukusu leader
• Moses Mudavadi (1923-1989) politician from Sabatia.
• Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy Prime Minister and 7th Vice President (September 2002 – December 2002)
• Masinde Muliro (1922–1992), freedom fighter, Member of Parliament (Kitale East & Cherangany)
• Nabongo Mumia Leader of the Wanga Kingdom.
• Elijah Mwangale, Foreign Minister of Kenya 1983–87
• Ababu Namwamba, Kenyan politician
• Burudi Nabwera, diplomat.
• Reuben Sechele Nyangweso Majority Leader Kakamega county Assembly (2013–present)
• Phyllis Omido Kenyan environmental activist.
• Esau Khamati Oriedo (circa AD 1888–1993), a colonial era politician, freedom fighter; detained alongside Mzee Kenyatta, original trade union movement founding member of KAU, philanthropist, legal and religious advocate, a veteran of both world wars and soldier in King's African Rifles.
• Paul Otuoma (born 15 September 1966)Kenyan politician
• Martin Shikuku, former MP Butere Constituency
• Soita Shitanda (9 November 1959 – 24 May 2016), Kenyan politician
• Lawrence Sifuna (born January 23, 1946) Kenyan politician
• David Eseli Simiyu, MP Kimilili Constituency
• Wafula Wabuge, Kenya's ambassador to Uganda, UN & US (1981–1986). Former Member of Parliament
• Judy Wakhungu Kenya's Ambassador to France
• Smokin Wanjala, Kenyan lawyer and associate justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya
• Amos Wako, Former Attorney General of Kenya, Senator Busia county (2013–present)
• Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli (born 1952) Kenyan politician
• Benjamin Jomo Washiali Kenyan politician
• Noah Wekesa Former Minister for Forestry and Wildlife.
• Alfred Sambu (1944) Kenyan politician
• George Wajackoyah (2022) Kenyan Controversial Presidential candidate in the 2022 Kenya Election

Business and Economics

• Jeremy Awori, MD & CEO, ABSA BANK KENYA PLC.
• Ayisi Makatiani, MD & CEO of Fanisi Capital Ltd.
• Mubarak Muyika, Founder & CEO of Zagace.
• Amos Wekesa, Founder & CEO of Great Lakes Safaris Limited.

Arts, music and media

• Bien-Aimé Baraza, Sauti Sol band member
• Daudi Kabaka (1939–2001), musician
• Elsa Majimbo, Kenyan Comedian
• Pamella Makotsi-Sittoni (born 1969) Kenyan journalist
• Yolanda Masinde Miss World finalist, 2000.
• Gloria Muliro, Kenyan Gospel Artist
• Azziad Nasenya, Kenyan Actress
• Hilary Ng'weno, Historian and veteran journalist
• Mary Kavere, Veteran actor in Kenya
• Nonini, Kenyan Musician
• Winfred Adah Omwakwe, Miss Earth 2002. The first from an African country.
• Daddy Owen, Musician
• Khadambi Asalache(28 February 1935 - 26 May 2006), Kenyan poet and author

Religion

Mark Kadima, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Bungoma from 2021 to present

• Festo Habakkuk Olang', the first African Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, from 1970 to 1980
• Maurice Michael Otunga, Catholic cardinal
• Eliud Wabukala, Kenyan Anglican Archbishop
• Joseph W. Sitati (born 16 May 1952) A general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 2009

Sports

• Josephat Ababu, Kenyan cricketer
• Biko Adema, Kenyan rugby player.
• Willy Ambaka, Kenyan rugby player.
• Violet Barasa (1975–2007), volleyball player
• Joe Kadenge, footballer
• Collin Injera, Kenyan rugby player.
• Humphrey Kayange, Kenyan rugby player.
• McDonald Mariga, footballer, Politician Jubilee Party
• Joe Masiga, footballer (Abaluhya Football Club)
• Ayub Masika, Kenyan professional footballer
• Clifton Miheso (born 5 February 1993), Kenyan footballer.
• Ferdinand Omanyala Olympic 100m Sprinter, Track and Field.
• Robert Wangila Napunyi, boxer
• Victor Wanyama, footballer
• Anne Wafula Strike MBE (born 8 May 1969), British Paralympic wheelchair racer.
• Allan Wanga, Kenyan footballer
• Paul Wekesa, Kenyan Tennis player
• Philip Mayaka
• Paul Were

References

1. "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
2. "The Luhya Tribe of Kenya: Their History and Culture". Kenya-information-guide.com. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
3. Tim Wambunya (7 May 2007). "'ABA' LUYIA" (PDF). Retrieved 25 April 2014.
4. "Luhya Tribe | Kenya Tribes and People". softkenya.com. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
5. Makers of Kenyan History; Nabongo Mumia, Heinemann Kenya, ISBN 9966-46-808-0 [1], 1
6. Luhya languages according to Ethnologue
7. "Luyia Nation | Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
8. Luyia Nation: Origins, Clans and Taboos: Shadrack Amakoye Bulimo: 9781466978362: Books. Amazon.ca. ASIN 1466978368.
9. Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
10. Lihraw, Demmahom Olovodes (2010). The Tachon peoples of Kenya : history, culture and economy. Nairobi: PERC-PACE International. ISBN 978-9966-9670-1-5. OCLC 690905506.
11. Baraza, Patrick Wanakuta (2011-07-25). Drumming up Dialogue: The Dialogic Philosophies of Martin Buber, Fred Iklé, and William Ury Compared and Applied to the Babukusu Community of Kenya. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4620-1621-1.
12. Abeingo Community Network
13. ElgonAtlas_11Oct2015_lowres.pdf
14. J. R. A. Bailey, C. C. (1993). Kenya, the National Epic: From the Pages of Drum Magazine. Nairobi: East African Publishers.

External links

• Eshitabo Eshiokhulaama nende Tsisakalamendo nende Akebiima Bindi Bieikanisa. The Book of Common Prayer in Luhya (1967) digitized by Richard Mammana