Names of Wild Animals in Lubukusu

Among Babukusu of Western Kenya, wild animals meant a lot; food for survival, enemies to coexist with, sport for hunting, medicine from animal organs, and garments out of skins  and many others..

Bukusu nomeclenture is not one that recognises all animals, precisely the commonly interacted with. for instance, the knowldge of whales and Kangaroo among others was limited. But for most forest animals, the community has a good grasp.

Besides, the naming system is not conscious of the species variation. For instance, one could not differentiate a bonobo and baboon, tiger from leopard, chimpanzee and gorilla or aardvark and anteater..

Check a sample of the animal names:

      

Antelope -- Ekhisi

Aardvark/Anteater - -- Yabunje/Ekhuuru

Baboon ---Embuyusi

  Bat --- Wambuuto

Buffalo -- Emboko

 Chameleon --- Ekhaniafu

Cheetah -- Emoondo

Crocodile -- Ekwena

 Deer --- Ekhulo










 

Elephant --- Enjoli/Enjofu

Fox --- Engipwe

Giraffe --   Etwiika

Green Snake -- Eekheendu

Gorilla/Chimpanzee  -- Enguke

Hare/Squirrel --- Emuuna

 Hippo --- Efubu

Hyena ---- Namunyu

 Impala Embongo

Jackal --- Sisuche

Leopard  ----  Engwe

Lion --- Etalang'i

Monitor Lizard ----  Embulu

Monkey --- Ekhima

Porcupine   --- Enjekeche/Esekese

Rattle Snake --- Emuu

Snake ----  Endemu

Tortoise --- Ekhutu

Warthog ----- Engili

Wilder Beast --- Eesolo

Wild Cat ---- Enjayu/Enjusi

Wild ass/horse --- Esikiria

Wild pig--- Embichi

Wolf  -----  Ling'u

Zebra ---- Epundamulia