THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

tragedy for the entire household, clan and sub-tribe. As a result snakes are some of the most
conserved species in and around kakamega forest.
In a focus group discussion with Luhya elders, it was noted that high fines are demanded in
case a snake that belongs to another sub-tribe is killed. There are a series of intercessions that
are held to prevent misfortunes and bad omens from befalling the suspected family or subtribe
for that matter. 605 Lions on the other hand are regarded as animals that portray brevity.
They are revered and therefore associated with heroism. It is a well known fact that the lion is
referred to as the king of the jungle. In this regard, the Luhya people have a great relationship
with this jungle king. Because by nature lions are very strong animals, they are construed to
signify authority and leadership among the Luhya. Lions were always hunted for their skin
and heads as well. This led to increased demand for their heads and skins. Many spiritual
leaders among the Luhya also adorned themselves with lions’ skins as a way of displaying
spiritual leadership to their believers. This institution led to the decline of lions populations in
and around the Kakamega forest. This strong relationship with the lions was however much
more linked to the Bahaya and the Marama.
Lastly, elephants are the other animals that are linked to the Luhya cultural institutions. The
Baluhya have an ancestral linkage with the elephants in two ways. One, the Bukusu sub-tribe
believe that they originated from elephants and as a result, the Bakusu have continued to
name many of their children Wanjovu, a significant institutional attachment linked to the
elephants. This makes elephants a darling among the Bakusu. On the other hand, other subgroups
like the Wanyore, Marama and the Kisa, have a different institutional linkage
regarding the elephants. These mentioned that the sight announces future death of a Luhya
sub-tribal head. In the study, it was learnt that, in the olden days when communities still lived
too close to one another, the sight of elephants was not a welcome sight since they announced
death. These two divergent institutional linkages to elephants, gives them (elephants) some
kind of “respected and feared” position among the Luhya. They are never hunted and as such
respected.
According to the Luhya oral traditions, elephants first appeared during the death of the first
Luhya tribal head long after the Luhya migration from Uganda to the present day Luhya-
Land. It is reported that a heard of elephants appeared and attended the funeral of this great
Luhya head. Ever since then, elephants have been linked to the successive death
announcements of a Luhya Tribal head.
When asked whether the people are named after the above animal species, 95.89% of the
respondents agreed that the people were named after different animal species. However,
4.57% informed that some of the parents no longer name their children especially due to the
tenets of christianity that are seen to be penetrating the Luhya-land. But even then, this is a
very slight proportion compared to the margin that still goes on with the custom. Children are
given such names like Wagwe named after a Leopard, Wanjovu, named after an elephant,
605 Focus Group Discussion with Council of Elders. 12 July 2006.
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