Southern ground hornbill [Scientific name; Bucorvus
leadbeateri]
- It is world largest among hornbill species: a large black bird with distinctive red facial and throat skin
- Are terrestrial birds native to African Savana, and forage in groups of 3-10
- Are carnivores; actively hunting for prey like insects, lizards, snakes, and rodents.
- With fast-disappearing forest ecosystem, they are endangered species
- Sacred birds among Bantu communities; can bring drought/severe storms among Zulus (SA) and are omen birds (bringers of death, loss & destruction) among Shona clans of Zimbabwe.
This bird is referred to as Ututu among Babukusu at the foot of Mt Masaaba; ketutunyeet
or cheptibit among the Kalenjin tribes (Barwa). In Bukusu Spirituality, Ututu is a totem or taboo bird associated with complex dark forces (kusuucha). In literal terms, dining on its meat is sacrilegious and could mean possible death. Every single part of this bird is considered to have bunyabinyi or bufwisi (severe poison).Among Babukusu, it is regarded as “engokho ye balosi”, loosely translated as “chicken for the witch”. Bakisayilamo khurera lifwa ne chingunyi.
Our people believe Utut has a bizarre connection between the living and the dead, particularly when ‘evil people’ use it to bring death and suffering on others. Even spotting a single feather from Ututu while walking in the woods is a sign of bad omen. Yima omuliuli akhukelekele, akhingulule kamabi(consult the oracle for protection)
It is believed that witches use Ututu feathers (or its other parts) to cause harm and death to innocent people in the community. If one builds his house and Ututu comes in and perches on its roof, it spells death and doom. In cultural terms, encountering Ututu is similar to esikhikhi (owl) which is also a signifier of death.
This is a sharp contrast to other birds like chisoko (weaver birds), ng’oli (crane) or enyange (cattle egrets) that are associated with goodness, wealth or prosperity.
Ututu kuyuni kumayanu!
Ututu kurera sieli!
