THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

Cherished plants and condemned plants
It is now an open secret that local institutions play a leading role in the protection of local
biodiversity in Kakamega depending on which particular plant species one is pointing to. This
study therefore asked the respondents whether there were plant species that were construed to
be cherished and others that were condemned.
Among the Luhya specific crops are categorized according to how they are perceived. There
are crops or plants that are perceived to be cherished. These sometimes derive their privileged
position from the role they are seen to play in the Luhya traditions. These cherished plants are
seen to be useful because they are used during the spiritual ceremonies, cleansing of the
demonized, circumcision ceremonies, healing of the sick among others. Plant species that
follow in this category included; Apaki, Munyama, Luhabari, Liponi, Bugala, Bukomasi,
Busagala, Busema, and Simbwe. Other plant species are cherished for other nested reasons,
such as: house construction, guarantee of protection, bringing peace, used during the
ceremonies such as the installation of a Tribal head, birth of twins, birth of a first born. Such
plants include: Murembe, lusiola, musufu, mtukunyu, shingulosho, madala, Vusagu,
simbalagay, visamia, shinyuaza, udaro, misine and shingututsi. When asked what the
community of Luhya does to such plants that are perceived as cherished. The following table
illustrates the varied perceptions regarding the protection of cherished plants in Kakamega
forest environment.
Table 6.7 Responses regarding protection of cherished plants in Kakamega
Value response Frequency Percentage
Don’t Know 0 0
Planted in community gardens 73 33.33
Planted in home gardens 52 22.74
Construct homes near such plants 77 35.16
Planted in the forest 7 3.20
Teach children about such plants 10 5.57
Total 220 100
Source: Field Survey data.
In the above table we realize that an array of ways as to how cherished plants are treated is
presented. 33.33% agreed that they do plant such species and protect them when they find
them.22.74% informed the researcher that they construct homes near these plants. It is
perceived that these trees or plant species provided residence for the Luhya gods and spirits.
Therefore constructing homes near such plant species amounted to living near the gods.
35.16% informed the researcher that plants perceived to be of good luck are also planted in
the garden since they too are associated with good or bumper harvests and good soil
management, thereby enabling continuous soil fertility in the gardens. 3.20 % of these
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