The spirits that are attributed with the Babukusu are very unique to the community. Few people are gifted with identifying the spirits. The spirits are eleven in number and they play different roles in consideration to the societal needs. Some of these spirits are in genres of their own kind in that they involve the artistic use and manipulation of language.
Firstly, Bukhebi is a spirited attributed with circumcision. Omukhebi (the circumciser) is the special person who receives this spirit. His duty is to perform the cut during a circumcision ritual. He also counsels the initiates after four days when they would have undergone the ritual.
Bukimba is another kind of spirit that is associated with rain making. The Omukimbi (Rain maker) appeases the ancestors by offering the sacrifices. This is in case the drought has been for a long time. Omukimbi is also said to have powers to stop the rain. Similarly, it is during a very important ceremony within the society.
Other Bukusu Spirits
In the Bukusu community, witchcraft is an art that is most rebuked but all in all it still exists. So to cast out the spells made by witch doctors, they indeed require a special spirit known as Buliuli. Omuliuli is the spell caster therefore he has the ability to detect the spell simultaneously. This allows them to be able to remove it.
Another spirit involves truth saying. A special person known as the Omufumo is able to detect the truth in a conversation and inform the society. They are said to be able to read the mind of people and identify truths and false.
Bung’osi is a spirit that involves prophesy. The Bang’osi – the prophets are able to predict the future through the consulting the ancestors. Therefore, they are important as they can warn the society of the incoming foe, Disaster or the wrath of the ancestors for example Elijah Wanameme was a prophet he was able to inform the society of the coming of white man and the passing of a long snake (railway) in their lands.
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