GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

  The Luo originated from Bahr-El-Ghazal, area in Southern Sudan, from where they moved and settled at Pu Bungu in northern Uganda. They then moved to Pakwach, where they had settled by 1450AD. It was from Pakwach that they later migrated into Kenya. By the 15th century, the Luo had begun to move to present-day Kenya. Though they all claim common ancestry in Ramogi, They migrated and settled in Kenya in four main groups. These were: Joka Owiny, Joka Jok, Joka Omolo, Abasuba. social organization among the Kenya Luo during the pre-colonial period. The family was the basic social unit. Several families formed one clan. They practised polygamy (marriage of more than one wife). They were exogamous i.e. they did not allow marriage within the clan. They were deeply religious and believed in a creator: God, whom they called Nyasaye. They had sacred shrines and trees where they offered sacrifices to the ancestral spirits. They had religious leaders, including priests, rain makers and medici...

  Luhyia oral tradition traces their origin to an area called Misiri. Historical evidence shows that Abaluhyia resulted from intermarriage between various ethnic groups in the course of their migration into Kenya. Buluhyia is an area in which Nilotes, Bantu and some Cushites interacted. Luhyia migration and settlement into Kenya started around 300AD. Their most recent ancestors spread from eastern Uganda from around 1300AD. Most of them may have originated from the mount Elgon region and then settled in Bukhayo, Marama, Tiriki, Bunyore, Wanga, Maragoli, Marachi, Kisa, Samia, Idakho, Isukha, Bungoma and other Bukusu areas, Bunyala, Busonga, etc. As they migrated, they assimilated other groups, such as the southern and eastern Cushites as well as Southern Nilotes. Between 1550-1750AD, Luhyia society began to take shape. By 1883, Abaluhyia had fully emerged as a community. Abaluhyia interacted with Nilotic speakers such as the Maasai, Kalenjin and Luo, which led to a lot of cultural e...

  main classifications of the Highland Nilotes . The Kalenjin. The Jie. communities that belong to each of the two main Highland Nilotic groups. The Kalenjin consist of: Tugen, Keio, Marakwet, Nandi, Kipsigis, Sabaot, Pokot, Elgon. The Jie comprises: The Karamojong, Kumam, Iteso, Turkana, The Jie themselves. Migration and settlement of the Highland Nilotes into Kenya Highland Nilotes were pastoralists. Their ancestors may first have lived in Karamoja before they split into various groups. The Highland Nilotes may have been the earliest Nilotic speakers in Kenya . They must have occupied most of western Kenya because their neighbours speak a lot about them. They are mentioned in tales told of their warlike nature, e.g. the Luo story of Lwanda Magere (a strong Luo warrior) who a Nandi lady eventually betrayed in order for the Nandi to gain victory over the Luo. Kalenjin traditions indicate that their original homeland lay at a place to the north-western part of Kenya, between Sudan ...

  Ukambani region had poor and unreliable rainfall to support farming. The outbreak of famine in 1836 compelled them to trade . Their central position between the coast and the interior facilitated their participation in trade. Experienced leaders such as chief Kivoi spearheaded trade. Demand for goods from the interior at the coast made them get into trade. Goods for trade such as ivory and slaves were available. In the 1860s, Arab and Swahili traders started penetrating the interior of Kenya . They eventually took control of Long Distance trade from the Akamba and started organizing caravans to as far as Uganda . RELATED POSTS 9 CONDITIONS FAVOURING IRRIGATION FARMING IN EGYPT 5 CAUSES OF RURAL-RURAL MIGRATION IN KENYA 10 AIMS OF KILOMBERO VALLEY IRRIGATION SCHEME 4 FEATURES OF MAP STATEMENT SCALE 10 ADVANTAGES OF OIL PRODUCTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST 7 DISADVANTAGES OF AIR TRANSPORT 10 PROBLEMS FACING COFFEE FARMING IN KENYA IMPACTS OF POVERTY ON ENVIRONMENT 10 PROBLEMS FACING CO...