THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

others. The respondents informed the researcher that frogs for instance manifested tragedy in
the community and were as a result perceived to be animals of not so good luck.
Furthermore, it was learnt that monkeys are perceived as animals associated with prosperity
and as result monkeys are animal which are hunted for their skin and heads which are also
used during the circumcision ceremonies. The red tailed and the blue tailed monkeys are the
most hunted type in this sub-region. Monkeys were also linked to the Luhya ancestral history,
a factor that makes them one of the highly demanded animal species in Kakamega forest.
However, it is not common that this will be easily told to any outsider among the Luhya. One
will most commonly be told that monkeys are hunted because they do feed on the crops in the
field which is equally understandable in the same regard, but inherently keeping the cultural
institutional significance.
It is imperative to note that secrecy among the Luhya community is such a great norm which
is highly guarded and monitored by a tribal oath during marriage and ceremonies related to
adulthood passage. Lizards are considered to be animals related to procreation and extension
of ancestral lineage. 604 It is widely held among the Luhya sub-tribes that lizards are associated
with blessing as far as human fertility is concerned. It was also noted that a young lizard was
always given to a newly married man especially among the Idoha sub-tribe. The significance
here is: to bless the new couple in their marriage so as to have as many children as possible.
The researcher was also informed that couples that mistreated these lizards were bound to
suffer a curse leading to infertility. It was also mentioned that a couple that have failed to
have children was also given a young lizard to heal them overcome a certain curse and
subsequently such a couple would have children. This is such a great custom, a very strong
local institution among the Luhya sub-tribes. Snakes are considered to be animals that are
associated with the Luhya ancestry history. They are considered to be the temples for the
Luhya gods. As a result snakes are some of those animals that are both feared and loved
according to the Luhya institutions.
Each sub-tribe has a great attachment to and cherishes particular snake species. There are over
30 different snake types in the whole of Kakamega forests. For instance, the Tirirki are so
close to the python, the Maragori are so close to the black- Mamba, the Bakusu are closer to
the Jameson-mamba, and the Kabras are closer to the gabon-viper among others. Many of the
Luhya families especially those that live around the forest keep these snakes in their
homesteads and guard them jealously. They are fed and counted as members of the
household. However, not any of them will concede to this fact. Only a few elderly men
confided in the researcher. Many of these snakes are got from the forest and domesticated in
the homes of the Luhya people. Many of the non-Luhyas who get married to the Luhyas are
educated about the importance and significance of snakes and a particular snake for that
matter. They are also advised against ever killing a snake, because doing so would result into
604 Focus Group Discussion 16 July 2006.
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