Words for the Natural & Built Environment in Lubukusu

1. Kumusiru - A large and dense forested area; covered with trees and thicket.

2. Sichakha - A bush or thicket, often without tall or huge trees. ‎

3. Sichiimi – Uninhabited lands, forested, open or rugged. 

4. ‎Kumubimbi – They are vast lands that are yet to be occupied by any people‎. 

5. Mundaa – It is general term for wilderness, inhabited by snakes and wild game. ‎

6. Lusambu – It refers to ancestral lands for growing crops and communal living. 

7. ‎‎Lukulu - Hilly, sloppy lands or mountain ranges. Some have fertile volcanic soil for growing crops others covered with bare rock with thicket. 

8. Lukuku (elembe) - opposite of lukulu, broad, flat level lands.

9. Khatuluku – A knoll, or a very small hill.‎

10. Emayo – This is nestled valley, often at the feet of hills or mountains. ‎

11. Ekewa -This is meadow which is open, flat lands, usually wetland. 

12. ‎Situti – This is land bordering river, usually fertile for growing crops (kumukunda kwe ekewa) 

13. ‎Siangalamwe - Arid or patched dry land, usually unsuitable for cultivation (desert-like) ‎

14. Libumbi – It is a small parcel of land near homestead, usually composited (with manure) ‎

15. Silundu – A small parcel of land nearby the homestead for growing chinyenyi nende nasimia yekhuranga (kumukunda kwe khwitikii) 

16. ‎Lirome - Resting fallow land, left uncultivated for a while to regain fertility or waiting next planting season. 

17. ‎Sichaki - A parcel of land left for parents (widow or widower) after the family land division to the children. ‎

18. Luyekhe – Dry, loose sandy lands‎. 

19. Lurambasi – Heavy moist clay lands

20. Lulwanda- A rock outcrop, bare rock with little or no visible soil. 

21. Luluchi/khakhechi- A flowing river.

22. Enyanja – A large body of water, lake or sea. 

Other terms;

Liroro...

Litisi...

Liyabo...

Sitolola...

Lurare...

Kumwombe...

Sinoko...

Lukhuna...

Engakha... 

Sirende... 

Lutalalia

Silikwa... 

Elondo... 

Silongo... 

#Omukhana silundu

#Omukhana lukhafwa lwambukha enyanja

Movement & Motion in Lubukusu

 

 

1.     Khukenda: The normal walking pace, especially for an adult.

 

2.     Khukendelesia: To walk with a fast pace, like trying to catch up with a person in front of you.

 

3.     Khukhwikhoyoola (khukhwikhoyosia): Making slow, lazy or unwanted walk, like a person dragging themselves because they don’t want to tag along.

 

4.     Khusesela (khukenda butima): Faster walk with brief runs, like escaping some danger.

 

5.     Khumasia (khunausia): Walking with larger steps, usually by a talk or muscular person.

 

6.     Khutima: Making a run, usually planned, not out of surprise or attack.

 

7.     Khutubilisia: Making fast but short steps, usually for children

 

8.     Khuyeyela: (khukenda sifwakani)- Walking fast in a clumsy or haphazard way.

 

9.     Khubundabunda (khukenda bwongelela): Walking with evasive maneuver such as walking and bending to hide in thicket to avoid being seen.

 

10.  Khutiekela (khukenda noikila): To walk with unstable gait, like if hurt in one leg.

 

11.  Khubundukulukha: A run made by a very short person

 

12.  Khupukuta: When a small child breaks into a run

 

13.  Khufumbusia: In hunting, when a hare or deer bolts out into a run from where they were hiding.

 

14.  Khufwakhanya: Laboured walk such in thick grass or swampy area, requiring great effort to made strides.

 

15.  Khurwandukha: Breaking into a sudden run out of instinct, as a way to escape possible danger.

 

16.  Khutabataba: Walking on unsteady gait, as though when a person is dizzy or nauseous.

 

17.  Khunyakhanyakha (khutima sichula): Fast movement, often attributed to a naked person at night.

 

18.  Khurabaraba: Running with heavy, muffled steps such as when an overweight person attempts to run.

 

 

19.  Khukhwekhunuusia (khukheyuula): Very fast movement of a person so that you only catch a glimpse of their shadow or silhouette.

 

20.  Khubayabaya: A noisy run usually by a person with oversized clothing.

 

21.  Khuabina: A sudden invasion where an enemy appear from all directions.

 

22.  Khutalitala: An unsteady walk by an intoxicated person.

 

23.  Khuracha: To walk in unison, such as in a slow dance by a group of people.

 

Other terms for motion include;

 

24.  Khukwekilimita

25.  Khukhwetuliaka

26.  Khutirimuka

27.  Khumetula/khumetukha

28.  Khususuma

29.  Khukhwisota

30.  Khubutiakila

 

Bukusu Sacred Places

 

Every community has places of cultural significance, in which the people have spiritual connection to their inner self.

All around the world, religions (including Abrahamic religions- Christianity, Islam and Judaism) recommend their followers to visit their holy places at least once every year. These include the Western Wall, Cave of Abraham, Makar or the Vatican.

In African spirituality, certain places are held as sacred due to spiritual renewal, healing or carrying out specific rituals.

As part of the colonial project, the pink man demonized our way of spirituality, shamed us for speaking our tongue, and even destroyed our revered places.

Among the Babukusu and Bukusu speaking clan groups, the following are some of places with spiritual significance;

1.     Bukusu Hill in Masaaba (overlooking Tororo town); where old accounts narrate how the body of Maina Nalukale transformed having been disgraced by Namunguba, wamwikeleka mungubo (had an affair with his youngest wife). What was the mystery of the busaa pots following Maina’s disappearance connect to this ancient hill? And how did the lake in Ebukobelo connect to the tears of this diviner?

 

2.     Mwiala lia Mango: Mango from the house of Bwayo of the Bakhurarwa clan, is known to restart the practice of circumcision among Babukusu in 1700s. He was a daring and courageous warrior who took on the menacing snake serpent of Yabebe. His heroic conquest meant a great deal to Babukusu. The events in this cave changed the history and pride of Babukusu, even in the eyes of Barwa neighbors.

 

3.     Sikulu sia Buyemba and Bubuya: Learn about the contest on Buyemba hill involving kamabele kamayu and kamabou.

 

4.     The Forts of Kitalie, Lumboka and Mumia: They were places that fearsome Bukusu warriors waged war with colonial invaders. Wakoli Omusawa Sikala, son of Mukisu Lufwalula (Omuyemba Omukhayama) led the conquest at Lumboka in 1895.

 

5.     Sikulu sia Chetambe: The survivors of Lumboka made a formidable stand against colonialist in last memorable war at Chetambe hill. In the ultimate sacrifice, hundreds of warriors gave their sweat, blood and even life on this mountain.

 

6.     River Khamukoya: From the lineage of Makutukutu, Mango’s forerunner, there arose a rarely gifted diviner- Manyi Omukhurarwa. In quest to finish off Barwa Banamulinge, a team of Bukusu warriors approached Manyi for counsel; Mamayi Wamamba, Wesi wa Mukwele, Mayote wa Manana, and Yusia wa Weng’ang’a among others. Despite sound counsel, they are misled resulting in an unimaginable slaughter in this river.

 

7.     Mwibale lia Namakanda (’Sikele Sia Mulya’’) in Sang’alo; Learn the legend of Mulia  Omulunda, a man with uncanny powers. How could he manage to leave his and animals’ footprint on bare rock?

 

8.     Others include; Luukulu lwa Masaaba (Mt. Elgon), River Malaba (Lwakhakha) and Kumufunje (the swinging River Nzoia crossing)

 

These and other places hold immense significance to Bukusu community. They connect us to the past, to those who walked before us. As we learn their stories, we connect with them, and understand our authentic identity as a people. Learn about these places and visit them, whenever you can. They carry our sacred history and cultural weight.

I have spoken.