The
name Abaluyia refers to a large ethnic and linguistic group that lives in Kenya
and parts of Uganda. When speaking of one person, the Abaluyia use the word
Omuluyia, and when referring to their language, they use the word Luluyia.
Seventeen sub-nations exist among the Abaluyia. They are Abakhayo, Bukusu,
Vugusu, Banyala, Abasonga, Abanyore, Abatsotso, Idakho, Isukha, Abakabras,
Kisa, Logoli, Marachi, Marama, Samia, Tachhoni, and Wanga.
Although
the Uganda speakers of Luluyia do not use the term Abaluyia, a term assigned to
the elders in Kenya from 1930 to 1960, the Ugandan Luluyia speakers recognize
the Kenyan speakers as related to themselves. They share a similar culture with
many of the same legends, rituals, and ceremonies. Most of the Luluyia speakers
share in the story told by the Vugusu about the creation of the world.
According
to these speakers of the language, the world was created when the almighty Wele
Xakaba, the Supreme Being, made his own dwelling in heaven; to prevent it from
falling out of the sky, he supported it with many pillars just as the builders
of a house support the roof with many pillars. When Wele Xakaba had completed
the creation of heaven, he made the moon, sun, and clouds and laced the heavens
with them. Then Wele Xakaba created a large rooster and placed the rooster in
heaven. This huge red rooster is the source of lightning and thunder. It lives
among the clouds, and when it moves its wings up and down lightning flashes;
when it crows, thunder is heard on the earth. The creation of the rooster is
followed by the creation of the stars, rain, rainbows, regular air, and very
cold air. It took Wele Xakaba just 2 whole days to make these creations. But there
was a problem: “For whom would the sunshine?” This led to the creation of human
beings.
The
first man was called by the name of Mwambu. However, because Wele Xakaba had
created this man so that he had the ability to talk and see, there needed to be
someone with whom he could talk. Therefore, the first woman, Sela, was created
to be Mwambu’s mate. Then Wele Xakaba created plants, oceans, lakes, rivers,
plants, and animals. Cattle were also created by Wele Xakaba. Soon Mwambu and
Sela had two children, ason, Lilambo, and a daughter, Nasio. In 6 days,Wele
Xakaba had completed the work of creation.On the seventh day, God rested
because it was a bad day, probably the source for the negative relationship and
taboos the group has with the number 7.
Of
course, many of the later stories were heavily influenced by European colonists
and missionaries spreading and enforcing Christian hegemony onto local tribes
which changed the dynamics of the original legends into what we have today -
including names, characters, and legends. Hence the "Abaluyia" have
God resting on the seventh day in their myth, as was the case with the Judeo-Christian
god YHVH.
What are your thoughts?
Reference
Daryll, C. (2010). African Worlds. https://books.google.com/books?id=v1Y3A4IWD8wC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=Wele+Xakaba&source=bl&ots=yt12BmJCux&sig=ACfU3U3TvGnZd3FdEZfdM7mn--86SCXvfw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLucvQgbnnAhVTCc0KHSirClMQ6AEwBXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Wele%20Xakaba&f=false
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