| Written by Daniel Saenyi |
Mzee Jonah Namuli, a Bukusu traditional preacher t the home of the late Mzee Josek Wasike the father to IIBC Commissioner Abiud Wasike in Kamusinga village Kimilili District during a traditional ritual commonly known as (KUMUSE) [Photos West Fm]
Luhya Elders have been urged to play a leading role in providing guidance to the presidential, parliamentary and other elective posts to foster peace and unity which will enable the community to scoop the top seat in the coming general election.
Mzee Jonah Namuli, a Bukusu traditional preacher said the elders have an obligation to bring the leaders together so as to urge them to appoint a compromised person to vie for the presidency and others take up supporting seats.
He said the numerous numbers of aspirants for one post is dividing up the Luhya vote which needs to go one person altogether, saying the division will even make it more difficult for the community to gunner enough votes for statehouse.
“The Bukusu elders should remain impartial when it comes to politics because supporting one leader will fuel the division within the community, this will be the down fall of our pursuit of power. Luhya elders Forum and the Bukusu supreme council are the bed rock for the community and it’s a pity that some are already choosing side when they should offer guidance to whatever party,” Said Mzee Namuli.
Family members of the late Mzee Joseck Wasike led by IIBC commissioner Abuid Wasike seated fore front left.
Speaking at the home of the late Mzee Josek Wasike the father to IIBC Commissioner Abiud Wasike in Kamusinga village Kimilili District during a traditional ritual commonly known as (KUMUSE) Mzee Namuli insisted on the importance of peace unity and community relations for the benefit of the community.
Apart from politics, co-habitation in the community also got a shine of light as in order to survive peacefully, the concept of scratch my back I scratch yours applies. Don’t see a neighbor in trouble and make it your comedy show instead one should lend a helping hand or else you will be inviting curses to their family (a luhya belief- silamo) it’s the application of Karma.
Education
Concerning education, Mzee Namuli said that parents should invest heavily in it because education is the key factor to triumph in this developing technological era.
‘’ During our days we greatly valued having large herds of cattle, but today’s cattle is having an educated society,’’ Mzee Namuli appealed.
Mzee Namuli urged the professionals, that as much as they have education, they should be down to earth and always come home to help out their parents and community at large, the education should not lock them down in the cities.
He also urged Kenyans at large not to shy away from culture and traditional beliefs as it makes up community’s history. He also pointed out that even the government recognizes culture through the ministry of culture and social heritage so there’s no point of people abandoning it.
He added that Cultural practices are very educative and they give light to the future generations of their history, and for one to build a future, you need to know your history.
Mzee Jonah Namuli.
As much as Mzee Namuli is a traditional preacher and bases most of his teachings on the old Bukusu culture, he urged people to put their religion first and always abide by the 10 commandments that God gave out on Mt. Sinai (Situluku-Bukusu Version) through Abraham (Samba).
Kumuse is a Bukusu Traditional ritual performed on the third day after the burial of an old man to signify the loss of a very important resourceful person.
Normally when the deceased has circumcised grandsons, the ritual is performed with the preacher walking along a straight line with women and family members sitting on the left hand side of the setting while all men sit on the right.
When a person is old and doesn’t have circumcised grandsons, the ritual is performed in a similar manner but with the preacher seated instead of walking in a straight line.
While the ritual is going on, no person or animal should cross the straight path made out by the preacher as it signifies that the deceased was a bad person and sneezing is highly prohibited as it’s a sign of challenging the preacher and as such, one is fined or they are exited from the seating.
As the ritual is ongoing, thunder storm is the only thing that can bring the it to an immediate stop as it’s believed that the dead person has rejected the procession.
When the deceased person is a twin, the preacher is paid a cow and a sheep because the ritual will be done after four days and not the normal three, and if they are not a twin the preacher gets one cow and any liquor the preacher desires.
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