ABANYALA BA KAKAMEGA NOUNS- Names of Snakes and other reptiles
Olunyala (K) is one of the more than 17 dialects of Luyia Language spoken in Western Kenya, East Africa. (Angogo 1980, Guthrie, 1976: Osogo, 1966). The purpose of this project article was to document the Indigenous names of herptile, ebikhuraanda, in Olunyala (K).
1. Abstract.
Scientific taxonomy, as the only way of communicating about wildlife, might have minimal utility to wildlife conservation stakeholders who have limited understanding of scientific names. Names in Indigenous language can improve species-specific communication with stakeholders who are not experts due to their familiarity. Indigenous names for wildlife in Olunyala (K) are, however, not specific to all scientifically described species and are rarely documented for wider use. To have a folk-formal taxonomy that is familiar to non-expert stakeholders in herptile (amphibians and reptiles) conservation and useable by experts, we conducted the first comprehensive analysis of Olunyala (K) naming of herptiles based on Indigenous language names recorded from an online questionnaire and existing literature. Etic and emic analyses of the collected names revealed the underlying guidelines of folk taxonomy and its comparability to scientific taxonomy respectively. Furthermore, taxonomic correspondence analysis provided an understanding of the correspondence between scientific species and Indigenous language delineation of herptile diversity. Multiple scientific species are generally grouped together into a single folk taxon based on observed similarities and only a few Indigenous language names are specific to scientific species. The underlying guidelines of folk taxonomy and their comparability and correspondence to scientific taxonomy were the basis for extending the generalized Indigenous names of herptiles into a comprehensive list of names for Abanyala ba Kakamega's 100 scientifically described herptile species (56 snakes and other 35 other reptile species) in Olunyala (K)2. Introduction.
Science, studying the physical world through verifiable observations and experimentations, is a relatively recent development in the history of human civilization. The roots of science, however, run deep and stretch back to ancient times. These roots were nested in two primary sources, namely technical experience and spiritual tradition (Strickberger Citation1996). To facilitate sharing of information in science and other spheres of life, the process of name-giving is important. According to Mason (Citation1956) we must distinguish between the taxonomy or name-giving and classification, both of which are artificial. The purpose for taxonomy or name-giving is purely for communication.Scientific taxonomy or the biological classification of species has provided a standardised means of communicating about wildlife and classifying organisms (Ebach et al. Citation2011). The International Code for Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) outlines guidelines and recommendations for assigning specific scientific names to animal taxa thus promoting standardized names with universal applicability (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature Citation1999). This universal applicability of scientific names has resulted in them being unambiguously used in different communication contexts from scientific to agricultural, legislative, and social (Remsen Citation2016). Universally applicable, however, does not mean universally understood. Scientific names of animals may have limited relevance for stakeholders without formal science education and knowledge (Wehi et al. Citation2019). Folk taxonomy, the nomenclature and classification of wildlife based on cultural perspectives using Indigenous Language names, is important for communicating with Indigenous communities about species of interest (Raven et al. Citation1971; Mkize et al. Citation2003; Loko et al. Citation2018) when community members only know/use local names of species. This folk or Indigenous taxonomy is poorly recorded (Cheng et al. Citation2020; Phaka and Ovid Citation2022) and is thus mostly unavailable for those interested in using names that are familiar to local community members in collaborative biodiversity conservation projects. Such consideration for local collaborators can improve effectiveness of conservation planning (Bennett et al. Citation2017).
Through studying folk taxonomies, we obtain an understanding of how people observe discontinuities or different components of nature (Atran Citation1998). Folk taxonomy investigations also provide an understanding of previously undocumented local perceptions of biodiversity and can inform the communication of conservation science and policy (Beaudreau et al. Citation2011). In addition to informing effective communication of policy to stakeholders, an increased understanding of how people name and classify organisms can also improve conservation practitioners’ understanding of wildlife utilisation (Boster Citation1986). Further value in investigating folk taxonomy was demonstrated by a study showing examples of taxa having specific Indigenous names prior to being assigned scientific names (Ulicsni et al. Citation2016), and folk taxonomies contributing to the clarification of taxonomic uncertainties among scientists (Cheng et al. Citation2020). Conversely, disregarding folk taxonomy can lead to confusion for local stakeholders.
Besides being poorly recorded, another limitation of Olunyala (K) folk taxonomy is that it often groups together different species and many Indigenous language names are not specific to every species described in science (Medeiros et al. Citation2022). With these generalized folk names (generalized groupings of species using Indigenous language names) there is a chance that stakeholders who are not familiar with scientific names could be referring to several scientific species in conservation planning aimed at only one species. Another conservation issue posed by generalized folk names is that they can lead to persecution of all scientific species included in a particular folk generalised taxon; grouping multiple snake species under one Indigenous language name does not enable Abanyala ba Kakamega community members to communicate differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes thus leading to apprehension towards all snakes (Simelane and Kerley Citation1997). Scientific names remain the main means of communication about species, but other names can have a supplementary role in this communication provided they are clearly linked to the scientific names (Murray and Stackebrandt Citation1995). The possibility of establishing an unambiguous link between scientific names and Indigenous names was demonstrated through a pilot study of Olunyala folk taxonomy for snakes in Bunyala Linguistic environment which documented generalized Indigenous names for snakes and extended them into a list of specific Indigenous names corresponding to each scientific species described. This extension based on the underlying guidelines of folk taxonomy was found to have been achieved by adding descriptive words to the general folk names which formulate names that are specific to individual species and recognisable to Indigenous language speakers (Phaka et al. Citation2019). Additionally, such research into documenting a comprehensive list of common species names in Indigenous languages contributes to social inclusion in wildlife matters and the development of African languages (Mkize et al. Citation 2003; Phaka and Ovid Citation 2022). This research ensures that Indigenous names can supplement scientific names without confusion and thus improve communication of conservation planning with people that are less familiar with scientific names.
Given the conservation and social benefits that can be derived from researching folk taxonomy, the current study seeks to conduct the first comprehensive documentation and analysis of the folk taxonomy of Abanyala's herptiles and compile a list of Indigenous names for herptile species in Olunyala (K).
In subsequent decades, English and Olunyala (K) names may be regularly included in Kakamega Forest's herptile guides (books). It is thus necessary to spotlight local names for herptiles.
Methodology
The Olunyala (K) Indigenous language names of herptile species that naturally occur in the language were documented using an online questionnaire in the respondents’ preferred language. Respondents were requested to provide names for the most common representatives herptile taxa shown in photographs with gif video clips embedded in the questionnaire and additionally provide the etymology of the names where applicable. Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and twitter handles were used to popularise the content of the questionnaire. Additional, names were collected through in-person interviews carried by the researchers.
Indigenous language names for Olunyala herptile species were also recorded from oral literature material such as narratives, riddles, proverbs and songs. Also, postgraduate dissertations, books, and scientific articles were used. Using snowball sampling that started with search queries on the Google helped to get some scientific data. The returned results were screened by searching for Indigenous names of herpetofauna in their text and other suitable sources were identified from the references of the screened publications. These Indigenous names were mentioned in the text of 4 dissertations, books and scientific articles.
The Indigenous language names obtained from the questionnaire and published sources were analysed under the emic/etic research strategies for studying cultural phenomena (Van de Vijver Citation2010). Furthermore, the emic approach focused on Indigenous language names as equivalents for scientific names to investigate how folk classifications are comparable to the different scientific classification ranks. In addition to investigating the comparability between folk and scientific classification through the emic approach, taxonomic correspondence analysis using scientific species and folk taxa (expressed in Indigenous language names of herptiles) as the basic unit of comparison (Berlin Citation1973) was conducted. A taxonomic correspondence analysis from the work of Berlin (Citation1973) was used to analyse whether folk taxonomy and scientific taxonomy had one-to-one correspondence (one folk taxon corresponds with one scientific species), over-differentiation (two or more folk taxa correspond with one scientific species), Type I under-differentiation (one folk taxon corresponds with more than one scientific species from the same genus), and Type II under-differentiation (one folk taxon corresponds with more than one scientific species from different genera).
Additionally, this research applied the majority principle of language planning to give preference to the most widely used alternative of an Indigenous language name when that name has several idiosyncratic Olunyala (K) spelling or pronunciation variations (Vikør Citation1993) and more than one name is used for several scientific taxa. Six elders, Wechuli Mukhiyi (1932 to date), Wakhisi Sambula (1922 to date) Recho Kulundu (1932 to date), Rasto Masika (1936 to date), Philip Matang'u Balovera (1932 to date) and Wafula Mukewa (1941-2025) added the names or part of the names that were known to them but not collected during sampling. The comprehensive list of 105 Indigenous language names for Olunyala herptile species that resulted from this research is publicly shared and constantly updated by the first author to improve naming accuracy according to changes in herptile scientific taxonomy and comments from the public.
5.10 DISCUSSION ON NAMES OF SNAKES IN OLUNYALA (K)
In Olunyala (K), a snake [2] is called enjukha [éⁿdʒuxá] (pl. enjukha).
Abanyala (K) believe that all snakes have the ability to give a snakebite albeit with different levels of venom potency. The fact that some snakes are non venomous is never believed. It is because of this belief that most snakes are killed on first sighting. However, due cultural believes, big or strange looking or pet snakes are never killed anyhow.
In case of a snakebite, the anti-venom herbs, amaasuswa, used to treat the snakebite depend on the identity of the snake involved. The amaasuswa could be in form of any of the following:
- Ingestible herb concoction or poultice skillfully made from leaves, barks or roots of specific trees.
- Skillfully pulped herb from roots, leaves, bulbs or bark applied at wound area after some incisions
- Skillfully crushed powder from barks, leaves and roots applied at wound area after incision
- Skillfully made ash from roots, barks and leaves applied at wound area or licked.
The following are names of snakes identified among the Abanyala ba Kakamega as they interacted with their environment- around Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and beyond.
- Ebaka- /eβaka/ general name for any of the three types of pythons identified by names among the Abanyala community.
Ebaka - Ebaka emiriaamirie- /'eβaka‿emirjamirje/ African rock python; python sebae. The naming relates to the feeding behaviour for it is the python-that-swallow-in-full. It is one of the largest,[4] known snakes. It has triangular head, body patterned with blotches of brown, olive, and yellow, often fading to white on the underside. Emiryamirye python rely on strength and constriction to subdue its prey. The pray range from small mammals to larger animals like antelopes. It is a taboo to kill this type of python if it has not swallowed what belongs to you since it was believed to be a religious mythical totem snake among some clans of the Abatachon Abateremi.
Ebaka emiriamirie - Ebaka namakanya /eβaka‿namakaɲa/ The Royal python; Python regius. The naming relates to the anatomical behaviour since it is the python-that-forms-a-coil-ball. Has smooth stocky body, small head and white belly with black markings. Not common since it was hunted and killed for it's medicinal skin. It was said to be the 'female queen snake', of the emiriamirie
Ebaka namakanya - Ebaka namukoye- /eβaka‿namukoje/ The South African Rock Python; Python sebae natalensis. The name relates to the anatomical behaviour for its ability remained like a rope: a python that is rope-like. This is a python that is not extremely big as the African Rock python. These python types were usually hunted and killed on sight.
Ebaka namikoye - Efulukundu- /efulukuⁿdu/ Kenyan sand Boar; Eryx colubrinus. The naming is based on behaviour of okhuefulukutia: the snake that turns left and right as it burrows in the sand. Common during extreme dry seasons, in stony areas, in sandy places after whirlwinds or in sandy arid areas. It was believed that if you cover the core of a whirlwind with a basket, then you are likely to get a snake when you uncover it.
- Ekhalwekhalwe- /exalʷexalʷe/ The Eastern Vine Snake Thelotornis mossambicanus It has the ability to remain motionless for a long time even when mocked by birds which attempts to scare it by using their beaks and talons. Its naming echoes the phrase the snake that is remain still as it is cut-attacked by birds: okhukhalwa.
Ekhalwekhalwe - Ekhendu /exeⁿdu/ general name for any of the mildly headed green coloured snake. The naming relates to the anatomical behaviour of bring green like palm tree leaves; omukhindu. There seem be many varieties of green snakes, which have specific names, since they were of different venon toxic levels as summarized in the proverb Wuli ekhendu; ne'silundu. (Every green snake with a garden of its anti-venom herbs).
- Ekhendu namutindi. /exeⁿdu‿namutiⁿdi/ - Barred green snake the Philothamnus heterodermus carinatus. The naming echoes the phrase the green-snake-with-long-stripe. It is a green snake with a black band, omutindi, running along its top body. Also, used for the black line green snake.
Ekhendu namutindi - Ekhendu engulukhi. /exeⁿdu‿eŋguluxi/ Boomslang; Dispholidus typus. The naming relates to the movement behaviour for it is said to be the snake having ability to move across tree canopies as if flying; hence the name a green-snake-that-flies. It has solid teeth in both jaws with venom fangs in the rear part of upper jaw. It has an average length is 1.2 metres but can exceed 2 meters. It has a short, blunt nose and large prominent eyes with a pear shaped pupils. They have excellent eyesight and often moves head from side to side to get a better view of objects directly in front. It has keeled scales. Females usually retain a brown colour. Males colouring is highly variable ranging from black to bright green. The belly is light green. Also, the large-eyed green tree snake, Rhamnophis aethiopissa is known by the same name.
Ekhendu engulukhi - Ekhendu ya Nachweng'e /exeⁿdu‿naʧʷeŋe/- Jameson mamba; Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae. Green and most mature ones have blackened tail end. The naming echoes the phrase the snake-that-causes-paralysis to reflect the behaviour of its venom causing okhuchweng'a paralysis.
Ekhendu ya Nachweng'e - Ekhendu namuniakala /exéⁿdu‿namunjakala/ The green water snake Philothamnus haplogaster
- Ekhendu nawinyasi
- Ekhendu naluchu /exéⁿdu‿naluʧu/ - this refers to the Battersby's green snake, Philothamnus battersbyi. At times confused with green mamba. The naming echoes the communial habit of this snake where many snakes of the same type are found within one place as if they have a communial house: enchu.
Ekhendu naluchu - Ekhilakhima- /exiláxima/; /exiraxima/ any of the snakes in the category of cobras. The name comes from okhukhima which means to swell at the neck like a type of monkey called ekhima or puff cheeks and move the head when in anger. There are more than 10 types of cobras named by Abanyala ba Kakamega.
- Ekhilakhima nanjakhima /exiláxima‿naⁿdʒaxima/ Blanding's Tree Snake; Toxicodryas blandingii. The naming relates to the non neck-puffing behaviour for it being a cobra-that-does-not-have a hood. Scientifically, the snake has also been classified not as a cobra.
Ekhilakhima nanjakhima - Ekhilakhima enjimi- /exiláxima‿eⁿdʒimi/ Gold's Tree Cobra, Pseudohaje goldii. It is characterized by its glossy black coloration and a long, spiky tail, which aids in its arboreal lifestyle. Its naming echoes the snakes ability to hunt very fast on trees, on ground and in water. It is the cobra that hunts.
Ekhilakhima enjimi - Size: Typically 2 meters long, but can reach up to 2.7 meters, making it one of the largest cobra species in Africa.
- Coloration: Adults are generally a shiny dark brown or black, with a lighter (often yellow) front half and a black tail. Some have a pale dark band with small black dots on the throat.
- Body: Cylindrical body with a long, pointed tail, adapted for climbing.
- Head: Small head with exceptionally large eyes, providing excellent eyesight.
- Hood: When threatened, it can spread a narrow hood, similar to other cobra species.
- Ekhilakhima ekhonge- /exiláxima‿exoŋge/ Ashe's spitting cobra or the giant spitting cobra. The name relates to the anatomical behaviour for it being a big- non-black cobra. Found in hilly dry areas. It is heavily build with big head. It is one of the biggest species of spitting cobra.[3]
Ekhilakhima ekhonge - Ekhilakhima embirikong'o /exilaxima‿eᵐbirikoŋo/ the king cobra species; venomous fanged snake with yellowish patches all around its skin that can expand its neck into a hood. The name relates to the anatomical behaviour for it being a cobra that has the biggest hood making it look like a gong: esikong'o.
Ekhilakhima embirikong'o - Ekhilakhima endube- /exilaxima‿eⁿduβe/ zebra cobra; Naja nigricincta. Endube is name for zebra- thus, the name is due to physical anatomy that means Zebra-like-cobra. Its can cause massive hemorrhaging, necrosis and paralysis in bite victims hence never spared once sighted. These snakes can also spit their venom, hitting their enemies with great accuracy.
Ekhilakhima endube - Ekhilakhima erini /exilaxima‿erini/- red spitting cobra.The snake is characterized by its reddish color and a black throat band. It's colour looks like a liver: esini hence the name..
Ekhilakhima erini - Ekhilakhima embiri- /exilaxima‿eᵐbiri/ black forest cobra. Okhubira is to froth hence the name mirrors the translation of the cobra-that-froths.
Ekhilakhima embiri - Ekhilakhima namatongolo /exilaxima‿namatoŋgolo/ - general name for the spitting cobras such as black cobra and Egyptian cobra. Amatongolo refers to necklace; thus, the snake is viewed as a cobra-with-necklaces.
Ekhilakhima namatongolo - Ekhilakhima efuubo- /exilaxima‿efu:βo/ black-necked spitting Cobra. It is a large snake, reported to reach 2.7m. It can be black, red or with white. It spit venom, in case it hits the eyes, is washed using milk as first aid.
Ekhilakhima efuubo - Ekhilakhima namachakha /exilaxima‿namaʧaxa/ - black headed spitting cobra; Naja nigricolis. Its bite affects the chest breathing mechanism.
Ekhilakhima namachakha - Ekhirakhima namasiukhira- /exilaxima‿namasjuxira/ The Egyptian Cobra. Its colour varies, but often some shade of brown with lighter or darker mottling or banding. Some have a "tear-drop" mark below the eye. It is named the-snake-that-resurrects.
Ekhirakhima esiukhira - Embuti /eᵐbuti/ Brown house snake; Baedoea fulinginosus. It has a python-like head, vertical pupils, lines on the head and shinny small scales. Colour ranges from shinny black to shiny dark yellow. It is believed to be non poisonous. The source of the idiom amakhuwa aka embuti; though normal but shock inflicting situation. Also used to refer to the Ugandan house snake: Hormonotus modestus.
Embuti - Enjabi- /eⁿdʒaβi/ Brown garden snake
- Enjinjibirisi- /eⁿdʒiⁿdʒiβirisi/ African water snake; Grayia Symthii. It is big head with small eyes. Usually grey or brown with yellow underbelly. It is a snake that is believed to have a lot of water in it hence the name enjinjibirisi.
Enjinjibirisi - Enjoloolwa- /eⁿdʒolo:lʷa/ The black tree snake; Thrasops jacksonii or Jackson's black tree snake. The snake has no hood, possesses a hemorrhagic causing venom; thus, the-long-hour-bleeding snake: omwoloolu.
Enjoloolwa. - Engulukhabiri- /eŋguluxaβiri/ Cape Wolf snake. The naming echoes the phrase a snake that jumps over anthills. The snake is fond of eating white ants around anthills
Engulukhabiri - Esindusa'balimi- /esuⁿdusa‿βalimi/ glass lizard. It looks like a snake but has eyelids that blink and ear holes. It scared farmers during cultivation hence the name that relates to farmer-scarer.
Esindusa'balimi - Esioloolwa- /esjolo:lʷa/
- Esikulukhi- /esikuluxi/ Velvet night adder; Causus resimus. The color pattern consists of a greenish or olive ground color overlaid with a series of dark narrow backward pointing chevrons running down the back. They have a blue or black tongue. Also used for velvety green adder; Causus deffilippii and Forest night adder; Causus lichlensteinus
Esikulukhi - Esirikoma- /esirikoma/ General name for vipers. The big headed snakes. The name relates to the anatomical feature being a big headed at end of cylindrical item; okhuikoma
- Esirikoma ekhiri /esirikoma‿exiri/- Rhinoceros viper, Betis nascornis. It has scales forming horns on its heads making it owl-like hence the name ekhiri.
Esirikoma ekhiri - Esirikoma Namacheke /esirikoma‿namaʧeke/ Rough scaled bush viper, prickly bush viper, Atheris squamigera. Other common names: green bush viper,[3][4] variable bush viper,[5][6] leaf viper,[6] Hallowell's green tree viper,[7] The color varies from sage green to green, dark green, bluish, olive, dark olive brown, yellow, reddish or slate gray.
Esirikoma Namacheke - Esirikoma naluchekhe- /esirikoma‿naluʧexe/ Gaboon viper; Bitis gabonica; the Gaboon adder. The head.[5] is large and triangular, while the neck is greatly narrowed- only about one-third the width of the head. A pair of "horns" is present between the raised nostrils. The eyes are large and moveable, set well forward. Have the colour of beer residues hence the name naluchekhe.
Esirikoma Naluchekhe. - Mukhobe- /muxoβe/ Lineolate Blind Snake; Kakamega blind snake; Afrotyphlops lineolatus. This harmless species lives in loose soil, holes or leaf litter and feeds on invertebrates. It was believed to be a symbol of Nyasaye Were Mukhobe and never killed. Also the Kakamega blind snake.
Mukhobe - Nafwo- /nafʷo/ Puff adder, Bitis arietans. It is a relatively short and thick snake with full adult ranging between 1m - 1.5m. They are commonly gray to dusty brown, with yellow chevrons on their backs. Its head is blunt, rounded and much wider than neck and body. It has two dark bands; one on crown and one between the eyes. The name means a snake that plays dead only to inflates it body hissing.
Nafwo - Nalwero- White lipped snake. It has a thin white line that runs along the upper lip.
- Namasiololo- /namasjololo/ striped bellied sand snake.This snake has a striped belly and can be various colors including brown, red, black, green, or olive- green. The snake gets its name for being striped-like-a-lizard.
Namasiololo - Nandemu- /naⁿdemu/ black mamba Dentrospis polycepsis. They take their name from the black colouring inside their mouths and not the skin. They have elongated coffin shaped heads, two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws. Adult Black mambas reach an average of 2.5 meters and a maximum of 4.5 meters in length. These snakes are grey to olive in colour with lighter scales round their head. They are thin and extremely agile.
Nandemu - Namasokosoko /namasokosoko/
- Nang'eniesi- /naŋenjesi/ Yellow-necked snake eater. Polemon fulvicollis. It is believed that it emit some light at the neck area at night
Nang'eniesi - Nasileesi- /nasile:si/ East African Garter Snake
Nasileesi - Natutu- /natutu/ Eastern green mamba; green poisonous snake with large bright yellowish eyes and a head shaped like a coffin. Inside its mouth is white or pink. It measures to an average of 3 m long sp. Dendroaspis angusticeps fam. Elapidae
Natutu - Natwang'i- /natʷaŋi/ The Night Adder; Causus rhombeatus; also called omuu mukhebe or omuu kwa natwang'i. It resembles omuu but it is venomous.
Natwang'i - Nalukenje- /nalukeⁿdʒe/ Green bush viper and the Mt. Kenya Bush viper.
Nalukenje - Namakhanga- /namaxaŋga/ spotted bush snake.
Namakhanga - Namaswakhi- /namasʷaxiri/ Found in anthill holes
Namaswakhi - Omuube- /omuuβe/ Estem variable burrowing viper. It has short stubby tail with sting-like shell, attempts to hide head in soil and wriggle excessively when cornered. It is brown-black with white belly.
Omuube - Omuu- any of the egg eating snakes. The snake is belied to be harmless. It is culturally believed that its bite was a premonition that no other snake may bite you in future.
- Omuu mukhebe /omuu‿muxeβe/ The montane egg eater or African egg-eating snake; Dasypeltis atra
Omuu mukhebe - Omuu mufulu /omuu‿mufulu/ The common egg eater; Dasypeltis scabra. Has solid and harmless teeth with no fangs. It has wide variations in pattern and colour; ranging from browns and greens to solid dark grey. Have a V-shaped dark mark on neck; the top of which points to the snout. They are fairly slender with small head that is rounded at the snout. Its belly is usually cream in brown coloured snakes and white in grey ones.
Omuu mufulu - Omuu musinde /omuu‿musiⁿde/ East African snake eater
Omuu musinde - Lukwata- /lukʷata/ huge aquatic snake associated with causing big waves in water- especially lake Sira or Victoria or Yalulwe and causing disappearance of boats. It is believed to be a mythical snake. This is part of the Abanyala migration stories while in land of Mumbo-the West. It is narrated to have been a smooth skinned long black snake. It had a long neck and a big stomach resembling a giant calabash for scooping water, esikwakwata. It is a snake that scoops boats and fishermen. The Lukwata is said to be carnivorous, with its only natural enemy being the crocodile.
- Khabere /xaβere/ some families used to have pet snakes called khabere. When it disappeared, the owner could move around in search of his or her khabere. It was a taboo to kill somebody's khabere and in such cases, the dead khabere was hidden never to be found by the owner. Such snake was fed on porridge and referred to as a visitor.
- Yabebe- /jaβeβe/ a huge flying snake that lived in caves around mount Elgon. It was killed by Mango, whose mother came from the clan of Abasiondo of Abanyala ba Kakamega. His uncles gave him a bull for killing the snake marking the begining of a gift called ekhoni during circumcision.
- Amakhambalia- /amaxaᵐbalia/ scales
- Ameno k'empisyo- /ameno‿keᵐpjo/ snake fangs with tube holes for passing venom.
- Amakhang'u- /amaxaŋu/ fangs with no hole.
Amakhang'u - Ekanya- /ekaɲa/ single snake coil.
- Enguni- /eŋguni/ the anger of a snake.
- Esifwo- /esifʷo/ place where python has spend time causing death or yellowing of grass.
- Oluwowu- /oluʷoʷu/ name for snake sheath.
- Okhuluma- /oxulima/ snake-bite.
- Okhung'acha- /oxuŋaʧa/ to bite and hold on for some time.
- Okhwefwafwaamika- /oxʷefʷafʷa:mika/ to kill by constriction.
- Omuoloolwe- /omuolo:lʷe/ name for the blood that comes out after a snake bite.
- Owusakwa- /owusakʷa/ snake spit poison; poison developed from snake venom.
- Owufwisi- /oʷufʷisi/ snake venom
- Olubakaya- /oluβakaja/ snake bone
- Ekhala kwena- dwarf crocodile. Small in size than the big ones.
Ekhala kwena - Ekhaniafu- a general name for chameleon. It was a taboo to intentionally kill it by hitting it several times.
- Ekhaniafu nalwiika
- Ekhaniafu nasikufu
- Ekhere- General name for a a toad. It was a taboo to intentionally kill a toad that comes into a house.
- Ekhere namakanda- african giant frog
- Ekhere namasole- Kisolo toad Sclerophrys kisoloensis
- Ekhere nasikifu- African ridged frog
- Ekhutu- tortoises
- Ekwena- crocodile
- Embiliambilia- type of lizard.
- Embulu- monitor lizard. Its skin was used to make omutindi (sukuti) drums. Trapped by using a mixture of busaa and sisal juice.
- Enenga- frog
Enenga - Eng'ala- turtle.
- Esikekhi- tree frog. It is poisonous when ingested by cattle. Cured by using omusuluulu and charcoal mixed in water
Esikekhi - Esindusa balimi
- Esiolo- lizard. Uncircumcised boys were discouraged from killing it.lo
- Esiolongwe- leopard lizard
- Esitawule- octopus.
- Epongole- agama lizard
- Makasi- scorpion. Also used for giant crabs.
- Namukhokhome- Blue-headed tree agama Acanthocerus atricollis; Red-headed rock agama Agama lionotus.
Namukhokhome - Namuniakala
- Namurwekana- salamander
- Namutungulu- Any of the geckos: Tropical house gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia. Mt Elgon forest gecko Cnemaspis elgonensis. Elgon forest gecko Cnemaspis elgonensis, Kenya Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus keniensis
Namutungulu - Omwambo- earthworm
- Amakhenie- tapewarms
- Ekhala- crab
- Ekhukhuni- leech
- Ekhumuniu- slug
- Ekhomoniu- snail.
- Ekongolio- millipede
- Embubi- spider
- Enguwa- ticks
- Enjukha enjolio- roundworms
- Enyanja- centipede.
- Esinanyanja- scorpion
Amazing!
ReplyDeleteCould Some of the names here perhaps be pointers to how we migrated or our interaction with other communities like those around Mt. Kenya? e.g. Nalukenje, yabebe
ReplyDeleteYes. A good number like mythical Lukwata, mythical yabebe, totemized ebaka etc are a pointer to our related migration histories.
DeleteHowever, all the snakes and reptiles are natives to Kakamega Forest