The Bukusu sub tribe is the largest group among the eighteen sub tribes of the Luhya community. Bukusus are closely related to their neighbors, the Bamasaba Kisu. They are similar in terms of culture and almost akin dialect. In addition, intermarriages among these communities is highly encouraged. The Babukusu occupy Bungoma County as most of its population is found there. They partly occupy the counties of Trans-Nzoia, Kakamega and Uasin Gishu. Apart from the Luhya sub tribes. Babukusu people are neighbours to other Nilotic communities including the Sabaot in Mt Elgon and the Iteso in Busia County.
Migration and Origin of Bukusu People
Anthropologists suggest that the Bukusus as part of the larger luhya community moved from central Africa. Thereafter, they settled in central Uganda. Bukusu people settled at a place called Enambukutu, north of Lake Turkana. Subsequently they settled at Cherengani, specifically Embayi. In due course, the name changed to Silikwa after the bad omens befell them. They dispersed taking six routes: five via the western side of Mt Elgon and one via the eastern side of Mt Egon. Those who went via the western side of Mt Elgon included the Basilikwa, The Banabayi, The Baneala, The Bakikayi, and the Bamalaba. The Mwalie cluster took the eastern side route and settled at the Mwalie hills.
The origin of the bukusu is in Misri, a place called tabasya. They originate from a person known as Muntu We Endebe who was a great warrior. This, however, was later denied by people of misri. His son Mwambu married sela is the grand daughter of Samba Sambaranengunyi. He is allegedly Abraham the Hebrew. Families were usually polygamous, with the first wife accorded special status. Furthermore, the practice of polygamy meant more hands to work in the field, an advantage in the society founded on agriculture.
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