Abanyala ba Kakamega

By Balovera Edwin Ongacho Among the Abanyala ba Kakamega , most funerals are punctuated by slaughtering of animals or animal related rituals. The animals slaughtered for funeral rituals are chicken and ebiayo. The ebiayo comprise of cattle, goat and sheep- of the three, the sheep is used for purposes of short-lived (six months) or long-lived blocking anticipated evils. The researcher (carrying esinama meat)with the informant the Retired Mwalimu Hon. Francis Mulika Nyikuri The Abanyala ba Kakamega believe that admission of the dead into the spirit world is achieved by, among other factors, performing appropriate funeral rites that facilitate the dead to join the spirit world. Key among the funeral rites involves use of animals. a) Basic taboos related to the animals There were specific rules in relation to animals to be slaughtered basing on some of the following cultural factors: The type of death involved - the slaughter of animal depends on the dead in relation to how the person

Among the Abanyala ba Kakamega , a married woman is never considered officially married if no brides-wealth or part of it is paid. Brides-wealth  and a ceremony of  echio  were  the signs a marriage has been formalized. It was always put across that; oyu wakhwa nche owuwo.' However, in disputes involving wife snatching, it was the ceremony of echio that was the equivalent of a marriage certificate. Once the above had been done, she becomes a great asset for the community and was referred to as esirongo sia nawutube (salt-s oil-lick for all)- one who could perform a traditional function for a mixed group of community members. No other man could remarry such a woman and pay dowry again. A woman whose dowry had not been paid, at times who was given out as a gift to create peace among clans, was called omukhasi wa embo-sii. The following terms are vital in marriage payments Amaecho - presents given to the girl, the parents or relatives to the girl as a sign of good will and love