History and culture of Omogusii

The Kisii, or Gusii, claim Mogusii as their founder, and have taken their name from him. From Mogusii they track back to his great-great-great-grandfather Kintu (alias Muntu, Mundu or Wantu) as the leader of the migration of the Bantu. The ancestral Gusii population entered western Kenya from Uganda and then moved on from the foothills of Mount Elgon towards their present lands. On the way, for two generations, they stayed at Goye Bay, by Lake Victoria then they moved first to the Kano plains and later, to their present location due to the expansion of the Luo and the Maasai and Kuria from 1540 to the colonial times.

When in the plains the Gusii experienced a process of evolution from individual family units, sufficient unto themselves, towards more inclusive groupings, interdependent membership in larger entities with distinct identities. Clans began to come into being. Association during the migration from Kisumu under the different warrior leaders resulted in the eventual development of sub-groups amongst the Gusii, and these in turn incorporated the clans.

A family head was still responsible for making the daily decisions in and around his homestead, but a clan leadership was starting to emerge in the person of the most senior member of the most influential family. Clan and subgroup consciousness of membership in entities with distinct identities was fostered by the identification of group founders with animal totems - leopards, zebras, etc. Kinship and membership in the same totem group became synonymous. The Kisii Highlands, fifty kilometres from Lake Victoria and two thousand metres above sea level are now where the Gusii live. The hills may seem cold, but they are fertile, and watered with close to a metre and a half of rain.

The Gusii exploit their highland environment for cash crops, such as coffee,pyrethrum and tea, and for other agricultural products, such as millet, maize, cassava, bananas and much else. Little uncultivated land remains. Gusii Districts are one of the most densely populated areas of Kenya, with 304 people per square kilometre. The Gusii have undergone great changes environmental, economic and other - in the course of their cultural evolution. Yet certain traits from the past persist.

Whenever and wherever possible, livestock is still kept. Children continue to be initiated into adulthood and into the Gusii as a group by circumcision and clitoridectomy. The crafts of basketry and pottery are practised throughout Gusii. Like the crafts of making lyres and other musical instruments, they may have been influenced generations ago originally by the Luo. Perhaps the best known products of their crafts are the soapstone carvings and the "Kisii stool," on the seat of which are embedded coloured beads in decorative patterns.

In general Gusii culture is a blend of their own ancestral Bantu-speaking one of traits contributed by Luo speakers, and of lesser influences assimilated from the Maasai and Kipsigis.

The gusiiland is mostly hilly and is dissected by rivers flowing west into Lake Victoria, notably the Kuja and Mogusi. Lack of infrastructure like electricity, telecommunications and good roads inhibit the full exploitation of resources. The hilly nature of the district leads to serious soil erosion and makes road communication difficult, especially in the rainy season when many roads (only 10% of which are tarmacked) become impassable.

Gusiiland lies on a highland equatorial climate, and as such it receives rain almost throughout the year, although there are two rainy seasons (March to May and October to November). Average rainfall is over 1500mm and is quite reliable, helping to support cash crops (coffee, tea, pyrethrum) and subsistence crops (maize, beans, millet, potatoes). Temperatures can range from 10�C to 30�C.

Population

According to the 1989 census Gusii districts had a population of 1 200 000, but by 1996 the annual population growth rate of 3.6% meant that the population is now well over 1 500 000 (19% of whom live in urban areas). This makes gusii districts one of the most densely populated in Kenya, with around 50% of the population being below the age of 15 years. The cause of high population growth is believed to be cultural practices of having many children for security in old age, leading to low use of family planning methods (acceptance is 60-65%). In most areas the sex ratio is disproportionate due to labour migration to other districts and cities.

Health

Health facilities are adequate, evenly distributed but lacking in essential medicines and doctors. There are three district government hospitals and several sub districts and health centers.More private hospitals are coming up to join the old ones like,Tabaka Mission Hospital - but the bed occupancy rate is 160.3%. The major diseases in gusii are malaria, anaemia, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, measles and gastroenteritis. The first AIDS cases in Kenya were recognised in 1984 (1987 in Kisii district), but it is now believed that 1 in every 10 adults is infected with the HIV virus in all areas. Over 70% of AIDS cases are aged 20-49 years, the most economically active age group and also the best educated and skilled. Infant mortality has been declining for several years and the acceptance of immunisation programs is increasing, but a large proportion of children are believed stunted due to poor nutrition. Water is easily available from rivers, wells, springs, roof catchments and boreholes, although the only treated water supply is found in Kisii Municipality.

Economy

Due to the high population density, almost all land in gusii districts is put to maximum agricultural use. Land is subdivided within families, meaning that plots are becoming ever-smaller and the average farm is only 0.5 hectares in area. Intensive farming in hilly regions has increased the rate of soil degradation and erosion, while the application of farm chemicals has polluted surface and groundwater sources. More then 90% of rural household energy needs come from wood, but the district is no longer self-reliant and other sources such as biogas are being encouraged.

Tea and coffee processing and soda bottling constitute Kisii district's manufacturing industry, but retail and wholesale businesses exist in market centres despite the lack of cooling facilities for preserving perishables. The annual growth rate in paid employment is 3.5%, but this is barely keeping up with the current population growth rate. There are many societies such as Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) concentrated in Kisii Town according to members' occupations or primary cash crop as well. The informal sector is involved in repair, metal fabrication, furniture making and the sale of secondhand clothes, while the soapstone which is found in the area of Tabaka provides a reasonable resource for the carving industry.

Income is unevenly distributed, with an average income per capita of Ksh. 2000 (approx. �20), although most appear to earn Ksh. 1000-1500. Many live below the poverty line, but actual figures are available for urban areas only.

Education

In 1993 there were 679 primary schools and 134 secondary schools in the districts, and enrolment is increasing. Most schools in gusii districts lack science laboratories and many teachers fully trained, increasing the ability of pupils to complete their education. Female enrolment in secondary school is good at 45%, while adult literacy is 56% (high in relation to much of Kenya). However, given that fees for secondary school are in excess of Ksh. 5000 per year it is not hard to see that for most children, primary education is all they will ever be able to look forward to.  

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