The Luhya People

 

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The Luhya people, or the Abaluhya, are a large ethnic group residing in Western Kenya. They form one of the largest Bantu-speaking communities in the country, with diverse subgroups such as the Bukusu, Maragoli, Wanga, and Idakho, among others.

Here is a summary of the Abaluyha community.

Family Concept

The man was the head of the family in the Luyha household. A family consisted of a husband, wife, and children. However, stepchildren, or adopted kids and relatives, were considered part of the household.

Totems

In the mid-twentieth century, there were at least 750 Abaluyia. The different clans had animals, birds, plants totem, and names of their forefathers.

Subgroup (locality)

They are divided into 18 other sub-tribes with different dialects altogether. Some of the sub-tribes are split into smaller groups, like the case of the Bukusu people. The main sub-tribes include; Bukusu, Maragoli, Gisu, Idakho, Isukha, Tachoni, Tiriki, Kabras, Khayo, Kisa, Banyala, Banyore, Batsotso, Marachi, Marama, Masaaba, Samia, and Wanga.

Dialects 

They speak the Abaluiya dialect, which is diverse and differs in tone. In other instances, they differentiate themselves in speech because some words have different meanings and are pronounced differently to mean their intended word.

Age Sets

An age set is formed after a male undergoes initiation, an important rite of passage among the Luhya community. It marked the transition of a boy into a man.

Traditionally, circumcision involved boys aged between 12 and 18 years. The rite proved bravery and one would be put to lifelong shame if they demonstrated any form of change in expression.

The Bukusu and the Tachoni practiced female circumcision, a probable result of influence from the Kalenjin, their immediate neighbors.

Naming System

Traditionally, the Luhya gave names to newborns according to events, type of weather, season, or after ancestors.

Kinship Names

The Luyha had an agnatic king of kinship. This kinship system originates from an individual's family members and is evident through their father's lineage.

Grandparents and grandchildren are called by the same kin terms ‘guga’ for grandfathers, grandsons, and great-grandsons, ‘guku’ for grandmothers, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. The father's sister was called ‘senje’) and the mother's brother ‘khotsa’.

Marriage/Courtship

Polygamy was a practice among the Luhya. The couple lived in the same compound as the husband’s parents. Since they were allowed to have more than one wife, a man earned respect depending on the number of wives.  Like any other African community, marrying from one’s clan was prohibited.

Traditionally, courtship was a community matter; parents, close relatives, and friends would directly take part in finding a suitor for their kin. For instance, both fathers to the boy and girl would sit down and agree about marrying their children. This was done without the knowledge of the boy.

In another situation, a man looks for a woman of his liking and from a reputable family. The two would then continue meeting at a particular place until they decide to tell both their parents. 

The man's parents would then sit down and inquire about all there is to know about the woman. A go-between came in to help in decision-making. The man’s relatives then visit the bride's parents to discuss things and agree on dowry payment.

Before leaving the girl’s home, the man gives the girl a ‘promise’ bangle (eshitiri) to show they are engaged. Dowry payment follows after the parents of the girl accept the proposal. Dowry was given in installments and forms of cows, goats, and sheep. These ‘installments’ were then marked and recorded. 

Gender Roles in Marriage

Traditionally, men, women, and children had their responsibilities. Siblings in a homestead would involve themselves in simple house chores while being supervised by their mothers and grandmothers. Mothers, on the other hand, played an important role in child-rearing. Siblings would help in taking care of toddlers. 

Grandparents had a close relationship with teenagers. This made it possible for them to be free to talk to them about sexuality, marriage, circumcision among boys, and home keeping. The men were responsible for hunting, going to war, and assisting the women on the farms. They were also in charge of milking cattle.

Single Mothers, Widows, and Widowers

Widow inheritance was a practice that existed among some of the Luhya sub-tribes. Traditionally, a widow was impure until she accepted to be inherited by the dead husband’s brother. However, the widow had to give her consent. Traditionally, the widow wore her dead husband's clothes until after she was inherited.

Divorce

When a woman left or was divorced, she could go back to her parent's home but not with her children. The children belonged to the father. Often, the already-given dowry is returned to the husband’s family.

Inheritance

The Luyha were known as polygamists. Therefore, the dead husband's first son was considered the inheritance's sole heir. When there were no sons, the uncle was responsible for distributing the wealth. 

The deceased husband’s brother provided for the widow. Women and daughters had no position to inherit property or even participate in decision-making. However, as much as the men had the power to allocate and inherit the land, women had the right to use it.

Death

The luyha have extensive customs or rites surrounding death. To them, it was a celebration of a higher form of life. They would sing and dance to traditional songs for forty days as a form of mourning. Others shaved their heads. 

The Mukumu tree was uprooted, and the wealthy or those with status were buried in it. Another Mukumu tree is planted only by righteous women, mostly virgins or the elderly. The tree was significant and sacred. The luyha also offered animal sacrifices when a person died to avoid spells and witchcraft from wizards in the community.