Bukusu Luhya in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Bukusu are a Bantu people who are part of the larger Luhya ethnic group. Their main source of income is from subsistence farming, but cattle and other domestic animals also play an important role. Sugar cane and coffee are two of their most important agricultural crops. The area usually receives sufficient rain to sustain the population.

As is the case in most Kenyan communities, the traditional culture is under heavy pressure. Development and modernization have a strong impact on most parts of traditional life. However, quite a number of traditional customs have been maintained, some with adaptation. For instance, initiation rites still take place among virtually all sections of the population, but the timing has been adapted to coincide with school vacations, so that they do not interfere with the child's education.

Traditionally there was resistance against modern influence among the Bukusu. This was most vividly expressed in the Dini ya Msambwa movement, led by Elijah Masinde. This movement is a mixture of traditional religion with some Christian elements. It manifested itself clearly as a protesting movement against colonial authorities. Its leader was detained several times, mainly in relation to the attacks carried out on administrative institutions. A ban was reinstated even after independence, because of an anti-establishment attitude in word and deed. As for religion, sacrifice was the basic ritual for the movement, just as for the traditional religion. Ancestor worship also played an important role. Despite Masinde's death several years ago, the movement still commands some following.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Luhya, Bukusu in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Luhya, Bukusu
People Name in Country Luhya, Bukusu
Natural Name Bukusu Luhya
Alternate Names Kitosh
Population this Country 2,407,000
Population all Countries 2,459,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 10996
ROP3 Code 101720
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Bungoma, Kakamega, and Trans Nzoia counties: south of Kitale.   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 Bungoma, Kakamega, and Trans Nzoia counties: south of Kitale..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 60.93 %)
98.00 %
Ethnic Religions
2.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bukusu (2,407,000 speakers)
Language Code bxk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bukusu (2,407,000 speakers)
Language Code bxk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bukusu
Photo Source Justus Kizito Siboe Makokha 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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