While in many communities, they bury the dead lying down and frequently with their arms bent and hands folded across the chest, a variety of Luhya sub-tribes in western Kenya favor to bury their dead during a sitting position. They believe the custom of burying people seated to own originated from the precolonial King of the Wanga community, Nabongo Mumia.
They wrap the Wanga kings in animal skin; and a stool, the symbol of power, placed on their head. Most Luhya sub-tribes have their own unique burial rites that are performed publically or private ceremonies. Laban Sindani, a Kabras elder, says his sub-tribe still conducts ancient customary burial ceremonies.
Nowadays, it’s conducted for those that give instructions after they are still alive on how they need to be buried. Before their death, a person who wants the Khuuyia conducted chooses a bull to be slaughtered by one in every one of his sons when his time comes,” Sindani told the quality on Sunday. The Kabras elder says they usually bury people that believe Khuuyia rites during a house chosen by them before their deaths.
“This home is called shiro and nobody may remain in it. Before the white men came and introduced hospitals, someone nearing his death, either thanks to maturity or illness, was taken to the shiro. Movement of dead bodies may be a taboo in our community,” Sindani said. With the Khuuyia, the dead are sat vertically or laid horizontally. within the former, both hands are rested on the cheeks while within the latter, they rest one hand on the lower cheek and also the other on the thigh.
Among the Bukusu, the Omusenamse, an adviser who follows traditions strictly, needs to be wearing Ikutusi and Ikutwa (traditional attire) and Omusila (flywhisk). they have to hold an Indabusi (club) in his hands when being buried. The Tachoni bury their dead by wrapping the body in a very fresh cow skin before being interred in a very ritual conducted without women and youngsters. The pinnacle of a bull is placed above the most entrance under the Tachoni burial customs.
If the dead were born because of the Omutelewa (only son), they practice Okhusenaomesu, three days after burial for sure categories of elders. But this unique practice has within the past put the Luhya communities hostile with the Church. Father Columbus Odhiambo of Maseno North parish, who conducted Mzee Aluchio’s requiem mass, told the quality on Sunday they caught him between the Bible and Idakho traditions.
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