Saamia Luhya in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Saamia-Bungwe people are an agricultural group living around Lake Victoria in both Kenya and Uganda. They also extend to the rocky hills of Tororo where water is drawn mainly from the bore-holes and a few erratic streams which often dry up. The main crops are Cassava, millet, maize, sweet potatoes, and beans. Fruits like mangoes, citrus etc. grow wild. In addition, people keep poultry, sheep and goats, although in small numbers due to the prevalence of tsetse flies. In the past, the area had a sleeping sickness problem but that is now under control. Among the Saamia, land ownership is communal. When a man marries, he inherits a portion of the land owned by his father. The size depends on the available quantity.

Marriage ceremonies have both traditional and Christian dimensions. Partners discover each other because arranged marriages are rare today. The bride price is paid in monetary terms or in kind as cattle. No special clothes are worn for a traditional marriage. However, for a Christian marriage, the English wedding gowns and other bridal fittings are used. The man dresses in a suit or a traditional "Kanzu".

For the marriage to succeed, children are a must. The average family size is seven per couple, but, polygamy is common. Despite reduced death rates, resistance to family planning is still high. Those that are Christians have a strong faith and are considering their futures.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Luhya, Saamia in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Luhya, Saamia
People Name in Country Luhya, Saamia
Natural Name Saamia Luhya
Alternate Names Basamia; Gwe; Luhya; Saamia
Population this Country 89,000
Population all Countries 794,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 14616
ROP3 Code 108478
ROP25 Code 307084
ROP25 Name Saamia
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Busia and Siaya counties: west of Ukewala to Lake Victoria.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Busia and Siaya counties: west of Ukewala to Lake Victoria..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 45.00 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
2.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
3.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Saamya-Gwe (89,000 speakers)
Language Code lsm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Saamya-Gwe (89,000 speakers)
Language Code lsm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Saamya-Gwe
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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