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The Gisu people, or the Bamasaba people of Elgon, are a Bantu tribe of the Masaba people of eastern Uganda, closely related to the Bukusu people of Kenya.
Bamasaba lives mainly in the Mbale District of Uganda on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Here’s an overview of the Bagisu way of life.
The Bagisu Family Structure
Families were usually polygamous in the Bagisu community. However, the first wife was accorded special status among her co-wives.
The husband was the head of the family, and he was responsible for his wives ' and children's welfare.
Each wife had her hut the husband would visit them consecutively. The Bagisu were patrilineal, and hence, women were an indication of status and child-bearers.
Bagisu Clans
The Bagisu clans had elders known as Umwami we sikoke, who were chiefs in every clan.
They were chosen based on age and wealth. They were in charge of maintaining law and order, harmony, and stability of the clan.
The Bagisu clans are mostly shared with the Bukusu community.
However, the following are some of the clans; Bakokho clan, Batiiru, Babambo, Baata, Bakitang'a and Batiiru.
Bagisu Totems
Bugisu clan in Uganda had different totems that ranged from animals to plants.
The totems represent the various clans, and clan members were not allowed to eat them.
The totems include:
Thyne (inderema)
Crocodiles (chikwena)
Pythons
Ants.
Dialects
The Gisu speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu, which is understandable by other dialects and also by the Bukusu.
Naming System
Naming among the Bagisu was done several days after the baby was born. They would wait for the baby to cry, especially at night to perform the naming ceremony.
The Bagisu believed that the crying of the baby signified the presence of the ancestor in the baby’s dream, who would dedicate a name for the baby.
Mostly, the name dedicated would be of the ancestor who appeared in the dream of the newborn.
At the ceremony, the name of the baby was confirmed by honoring and mentioning the ancestors’ names to invite them into the feast.
Elders who are knowledgeable of the dead, both from the husband and wife’s side, are called upon and they carry out the rituals.
Animal sacrifices were done where a baby boy was represented by a chicken and a girl by a goat.
These two animals are dedicated to their ancestors to appease them. Traditional beer was sprinkled on the animals while the ancestor’s name was called.
After the ritual, a celebration proceeded, and the living shares the meal and drinks with the ancestors through libation.
Most of the Bagisu who have a tribal name has undergone this ceremony. There are exceptions, however, such as when the baby is named after a living person.
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Marriage/Courtship
A girl aged 10 to 12 years was fit to be married only if she had undergone circumcision and had marked her forehead as a sign of clan membership.
Bridewealth was very important for the wedding to proceed.
The groom is required to pay a fee to the girl's family. The groom and his father negotiate the bride's wealth with the bride’s family.
Usually, dowry involved three to four cows, but the number could still go up to ten. Gifts such as spears and farming tools were also given to the bride’s family.
After the dowry has been received, the bride and several female companions stayed the night in the groom’s village.
A party was held the next day, and a gift of sheep and goat is brought by the groom’s family.
At night, the bride goes to her husband’s house and spends the night there with a family member present.
Polygamy
Traditionally, marrying more than one wife was ideal for a Bagisu man. However, marriage between the same clan was forbidden.
Most secondary wives are those inherited from their brothers or fathers’ brothers.
Gender Roles in Marriage
A Gisu man was the head of the family, and he was responsible for making decisions and providing the basic needs of his family.
He was also required to protect them. More so, he would also be present in performing heavy tasks around the household.
A woman was required to be submissive to her husband. She had no power in decision-making.
Her role was taking care of the family, doing household chores, and giving birth to children.
Single Mothers, Widows, and Widowers
Widows, among the Bagisu, were inherited by a male relative of the deceased. Widowers had the option of marrying another wife.
Single mothers were treated with contempt and disrespect. They were married off to men who were poor and could not pay bridewealth.
Divorce
Divorce was rare but was granted in cases of adultery, and the wife was barren.
Traditionally, the husband was only allowed to make the divorce plea to the elders. Dowry was returned except for one cattle for each child that was already born.
Inheritance
Traditionally, the eldest son inherited his father’s property. However, this was not always a guarantee.
The clan had the power to intervene and deprive the son of his privilege. The eldest son was responsible for providing for his siblings until they marry or be married.
The wealth he inherits was used to pay for his bride's wealth and that of his brothers.
More so, he was expected to care for his father’s widows, and in some instances, take them as his wives.
Death
The Bagisu believed in life after death. However, natural death was acknowledged to old people only.
A young person’s death was considered a disaster and work of witchcraft.
When an elderly person died in the community, rituals were done for him/her to be accepted on the other side of the river where they believed the dead initially went.
Only male members related to the deceased were allowed to handle funerals. Women were responsible for deaths related to miscarriages.
The body of the deceased was deposited in a pit near the homestead at sunset, and wild animals were left to devour it.
At night, horns were blown, and elderly women related to the deceased went back to the body to cut off pieces for mourning.
The next three days involved relatives mourning in the house and eating the flesh of the dead.
Rituals were done thereafter to prevent the intrusion of evil spirits which may have been responsible for the death.
Things such as broken pots and utensils are placed in a tomb for symbolic use in the next life. Goats of the deceased are slaughtered, and the community met for a feast.
A widow would shave off her hair; wear a mourning necklace and garments.
She stayed indoors for about three months mourning her husband while in the company of immediate relatives of the deceased.
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