Abanyala ba Kakamega

1. WATER AND RIVERS FEATURES IN OLUNYALA (K) Akhalo - rivulet Amakina ka olusimbi - ice. Amakina ka efula - hailstone Amayengo - waves on waves from dropped object Amayengoyengo - ripples on water surface. Echale - wet loose soil with high water table. Efuukho - shallow cross section area of a river similar to shoal deposit. Efula - rain Efututusi - spring. Ekewa - grassland with high water table. Ekhupo - water fall. Ekhubo at Nabuyole Embembeesi - rainstorm accompanied with a lot of wind. Embweke - abyss Enjeko - delta Enjukho - the deepest part of the lake. Enyanja - lake Enyanja eyicha'makholi - ocean. Esikayira - water diverted from from main stream for use. Also used for ox-bow lake Esikholobo - water that collect in a pool upstream after blocking a stream downstream. Esikobero - hobour especially for boats Esikucha - pond with salt water and soil lick. The soil is called esirongo . Esiluungu - seasonal water reservoir between hills. Esimirasongo - underg...

The Abanyala ba Kakamega have names for many diseases and ailments based on the symptoms. When juxtaposed with modern scientific names of diseases, the various 'symptomatic naming' can have approximate translations in English. Abanyala ba Kakamega had/have herbal medicine for most of the diseases administered to the sick basing on the symptoms exhibited. The following is a list of the disease and ailments. The herbal concoctions used will be captured under another blog post. A) GENERAL TERMS USED WITH DISEASES AND AILMENTS IN OLUNYALA (K) Amatekhere - general weakening of the body is characterized by lack of energy. Endiira - infectious diseases. Endwasi - general body immunity weakness making it prone to effects of opportunistic diseases leading to chronic illness that has backache as main symptom. Lumale - a disease outbreak that lead to mass death of people and livestock. Nabaaba - general epidermic outbreak of unknown any type. It was usually associated with a ...

Abanyala ba Kakamega have names for various grass species found within their environment. TYPES OF GRASS IN OLUNYALA (K). The following are the  names of the variousgrass species known among the Abanyala ba Kakamega. Amakata- phragmite karka. Used by children in making flutes. Amakale makhasi- sorghum arundinaceum  Amakale masacha-Hyperrhenia rufa, cymbaria  Amasakhwe Amasinde- refer to owukusinde . Amatware- bead reeds. Found near rivers. Ebaye nawule- eleusine indica.  Ebisera- Emuli- echinochloa pyramidalis or antelope grass. Good for house making. House made from these were held in high esteem.  Esikabembe- Esikondi- Esikondo- chloris goyana or rhodes grass.  Esipwoyo- Bothriochloa insculpta Esiyeri- brachiaria brizantha  Namawo- pennisetum polystachion Nasiwumbu- chloris roxybarghiana Olubembe- imperata cylindrica  Olubindu- Sporobolus pyramidalis. The root is used in the treatment ear problems, swelli...