Modern ethnicities
42-719: Diaspora Performing arts Government agencies Television Radio Newspapers The Isukha , are a tribe of the Luhya nation of Kenya . Among the Luhya, the Isukha are known as Abiisukha . They reside Kakamega District neighboured by the Idakho and the Tiriki . They perform the traditional celebratory dance known as Isukuti. This article about an ethnic group in Africa
84-651: 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
126-590: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Luhya people The Luhya (also known as Abaluyia or Luyia) are a Bantu people and the second largest ethnic group in Kenya. The Luhya belong to the larger linguistic stock known as the Bantu. The Luhya are located in western Kenya and Uganda. They are divided into 20 (or 21, when the Suba are included) culturally and linguistically united clans. Once known as
168-772: Is a significant activity in the hilly County. Dairy farming is also widely practiced in Vihiga. Western Kenya has many large factories, including sugar processing plants (4 factories). The largest of these is Mumias Sugar, based at Mumias , to the west of Kakamega. This factory produces the dominant sugar brand in Kenya and is an economic success story. Also in Western Kenya is the largest paper factory in Africa (Pan Paper Mills in Webuye ) and chemical processors. Despite this, living standards are generally low and social amenities like running water and electricity are not available to
210-518: Is also a significant tourism industry centering on Kakamega Forest. Busia County experiences perennial floods from the Nzoia River , and the dominant economic activity is fishing on Lake Victoria. Limited commercial farming is also practiced, mainly of sugar cane. Subsistence farming of cassava is widely practiced. Vihiga County has large tea plantations, and is the most densely populated rural area in Kenya. Quarrying for construction materials
252-422: Is also grown for subsistence, alongside pearl millet and sorghum . Dairy farming is widely practised, as well as the raising of poultry. There is a small but important tourist circuit, centering on the biennial circumcision ceremonies. Kakamega County has a mixture of both subsistence and cash crop farming, with sugar cane being the preferred medium to large scale crop. The County has two sugar factories. There
294-582: Is derived from Ng'ono Mwami's father who was called Marachi son of Musebe, the son of Sirikwa. So all the Marachi sub-clans owed their allegiance to Ng'ono Mwami from whose lineage of Ababere sub-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
336-772: Is the seat of government for Kakamega County, Bungoma County has its seat in Bungoma town, Busia County has the Assembly in Busia , Vihiga County in Vihiga Town . All the County governments and governors are answerable to the people not to the national government. Western Region has diverse physical features, from the hills of northern Bungoma County to the plains bordering Lake Victoria in Busia County . The highest point in
378-905: The Maragoli in Kenya and the Saniak in Tanzania are said to have originally been Tachoni. Other sub-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. In Kenyan politics,
420-462: The progenitors of the Luhya were part of the great Bantu expansion out of Central Africa . During a wave of expansion that began 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, Bantu-speaking populations – as of 2023, some 310 million people – gradually left their original homeland of West-Central Africa and traveled to the eastern and southern regions of the continent. However, the majority of the other Luhya tribe are mostly from present-day Uganda . Early migration
462-461: The 20 Luhya clans and their respective Luhya dialects. There are 20 clans that make up the Luhya. The Luhya belong to the larger linguistic stock known as the Bantu. The Luhya comprise several subgroups with different but mutually understood linguistic dialects. The word “Luhya" or “Luyia" in some of the dialects means "the north.” There is no single Luhya language. Rather, there are several mutually understood dialects that are principally Bantu. Perhaps
SECTION 10
#1732780727989504-439: The 2002 general elections of Kenya, the Luhya proved this point when outgoing president Daniel Arap Moi 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
546-3307: The Abashimuli, Abashikulu, Abamasaba, Abashiangala, Abamusali, Abangolori, Abamahani, Abamuhali. 9. The Isukha speak Lwisukha and occupy the eastern part of Kakamega district. Isukha sub-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 sub-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 sub-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 sub-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 sub-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 Sub-tribe}](Luhya)|Marama]] speak Lumarama and occupy Butere Sub-county. Marama sub-clans include Abamukhula, Abatere, Abashirotsa, Abatsotse, Aberecheya, Abamumbia, Abakhuli, Abakokho, Abakara, Abamatundu, Abamani, Abashieni, Abanyukhu, Abashikalie, Abashitsaha, Abacheya, Abatayi, Abasete, Abamachina, Abakolwe (origin from Wanga), Abebokolo, Abalukokho, Abageri (Luo origin), Abamatioli (origin from Butsotso), Abang'onya (origin from Butsotso), Abashitsetse (origin from Wanga) etc. (History of Abaluyia-Gideon Were) 15. The Kisa speak Olushisa and occupy Khwisero district. Kisa sub-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. Tachoni sub-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. The Saniaga sub-clan found among
588-634: The Abasiaya. They are closely related to the Masaba (or Gisu), Basamia and Banyole of Uganda, whose language is mutually intelligible with Luhya. 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 . The Luhya people make their home mainly in
630-589: 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
672-509: 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 sub-clans of
714-1447: 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, Bayundo, 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, Baumba etc. ISBN 978-1-4669-7837-9 2. The Samia speak Lusamia and occupy Southern Region of Busia District (Busia county), Kenya. The sub-clans of
756-678: The Kavirondo, multiple small tribes in North Nyanza came together under the new name Baluhya between 1950 and 1960. The Bukusu are the largest Luhya subtribe and account for almost 30% of the entire Luhya population. The Luhya culture is similar to the Great Lakes region Bantu speakers. During a wave of expansion that began 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, Bantu-speaking populations – as of 2023, some 310 million people – gradually left their original homeland of West-Central Africa and traveled to
798-594: 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. 934,926 1. The Bukusu speak Lubukusu and occupy Bungoma, Mount Elgon district and Trans Nzoia. The sub-clans of
840-508: The Luhya population, commonly referred to as the Luhya vote in an election year, was usually a deciding factor in 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
882-410: 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
SECTION 20
#1732780727989924-682: 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 came mainly from eastern and western Uganda and trace their ancestry mainly to several Bantu groups, and to other non-Bantu groups such as the Kalenjin, Luo, and Maasai. By 1850, migration into Luhyaland was largely complete, and only minor internal movements occurred after that due to diseases, droughts, domestic conflicts and effects of British colonialism . Multiple West African populations, including
966-575: The Luhya, inherited genes from an archaic human ancestor population that diverged before modern humans and Neanderthals, split. Researchers found that a lineage splitting 624,000 years ago and introgressing into the African population 50,000 years ago is able to explain the genes present in the modern Luhya population. Modern ethnicities Diaspora Performing arts Government agencies Television Radio Newspapers Anthropologists , geneticists, and linguists have evidenced that
1008-508: The National Assembly and Zachaias Chesoni , late former Chief Justice of Kenya. Luhya culture is comparable to most Bantu cultural practices. Polygamy was a common practice in the past. Today, with the influence of Christianity, it is practiced by only a few people, usually, if the man marries under traditional African law or Muslim law . Civil marriages (conducted by government authorities) and Christian marriages preclude
1050-470: 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 northwestern 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
1092-939: The Samia of include the Abatabona, Abadongo, Abakhino, Abakhulo, Abakangala, Abasonga, Ababukaki, Ababuri, Abalala, Abanyiremi, Abakweri, Abajabi, Abakhoba, Abakhwi, Abadulu, Ababiang'u 3. The Khayo speak Lukhayo and occupy Nambale District and Matayos Division of Busia County, Kenya. Khayo sub-clans include the Abaguuri, Abasota, Abakhabi. 4. The Marachi speak Lumarachi and occupy Butula District in Busia county. Marachi sub-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
1134-469: The Western Region of Kenya is the peak of Mount Elgon , while the lowest point is the town of Busia on the water at Lake Victoria . In 1999 the total population was of 3,358,776 inhabitants within an area of 8,361 km², increasing to 4.334 million for the 2009 decennial census. The climate is mainly tropical , with variations due to altitude. Kakamega County is mainly hot and wet most of
1176-596: 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 sub-clans include the Abangonya, Abashisiru, Abamweche, Abashibo, 8. The Idakho speak Lwidakho and occupy the southern part of Kakamega district. Their sub-clans include
1218-526: The eastern and southern regions of the continent. Using data from a vast genomic analysis of more than 2,000 samples taken from individuals in 57 populations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the CNRS, together with a broad international consortium, have retraced the migratory routes of these populations, previously a source of debate. Luhya today refers to both
1260-586: 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
1302-728: The most identifying linguistic feature of the various Luhya dialects is the use of the prefix aba- or ava-, meaning "of" or "belonging to." Thus, for example, "Abaluhya (Abaluyia)" means "people from the north." Other translations are "those of the same hearth.” The 21 clans 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 ), Tiriki ( Aba-Tiriki ), Tsotso ( Abatsotso ), Wanga ( Aba-Wanga ), and Batura ( Abatura ) and
Isukha - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-571: The neighbouring Nandi for cattle and were known to be fearless. This explains why they are generally fewer in number compared to other Luhya clans such as the Maragoli and Bukusu. The Kabras dialect sounds like the Tachoni dialect. Kabras sub-clans include the Abamutama, Basonje, Abakhusia, Bamachina, Abashu, Abamutsembi, Baluu, Batobo, Bachetsi and Bamakangala. They were named after the heads of
1386-531: The north of Lake Victoria was known as Kavirondo "Bantu Kavirondo" previously used to refer to the Luhya and other Bantu communities in the area. 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
1428-523: The oldest maps of Western Kenya indicate Luyialand as Usaba region, meaning: area occupied by masaba speaking people, this name is still used by Gisu of Uganda. The name Masaba, means North in Luluyia language. This 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
1470-489: The possibility of polygamy. Western Province (Kenya) Western Province ( Swahili : Magharibi ) was one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi . It is inhabited mainly by the Luhya people. Quakerism is widely practised here . Kenya's second highest mountain, Mount Elgon is located in Bungoma District . The Kakamega Forest rainforest is part of the area. The province capital
1512-551: The region. 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. The first European the Luhya had contact with
1554-682: The same sub-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
1596-498: The western part of Kenya. Administratively, they occupy mostly Western province, and the west-central part of Rift Valley province. Luhya migration into the Rift Valley is relatively recent, only dating back to the first few years after independence in 1963, when farms formerly occupied by colonial white settlers were bought by, or given to Africans. Western Kenya is one of the most densely populated parts of Kenya . Migration to their present Luhyaland (a term of endearment referring to
1638-451: The year, while Bungoma County is colder but just as wet. Busia County is the warmest, while the hilly Vihiga County is the coldest. The entire province experiences very heavy rainfall all year round, with the long rains in the earlier months of the year. Farming is the main economic activity in the province. Bungoma County is sugar country, with one of the country's largest sugar factories, as well as numerous small-holder sugar mills. Maize
1680-460: Was Kakamega . After the 2013 general election , and the coming into effect of kenya's new constitution , provinces became defunct and the country is currently divided into 47 counties . Each county has its own government and therefore there is no central regional capital. Western Province became the Western region, comprising four counties: Kakamega , Bungoma , Vihiga , and Busia . Kakamega
1722-584: 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 Nabongo Mumia of the Wanga Kingdom. 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,
Isukha - Misplaced Pages Continue
1764-538: Was probably motivated by a search for more and better land, and to escape local conflicts, tsetse flies, and mosquitoes. By about 1850, migration into Luhyaland was largely complete, and only minor internal movements took place after that due to food shortages, disease, and violent domestic conflicts. Luhya migration into the Rift Valley is relatively recent, only dating back to the first few years after independence in 1963, when farms formerly occupied by colonial white settlers were bought by, or given to Africans. One of
#988011