Death rituals of the Luhya tribe?

Jan 13, 2010

Luyah - Wanga
by: Archie Melrose

Jos,

Thankyou for your question and in my own words 'that was a hard one'. However the internet is quite forgiving and full of information. I attach 2 links for you and as you will see there is not enough space here to cover everything.

Points of interest from my research.
1. The Wanga subset or clan allied themselves towards the British influence in East Africa so I would assume that they may have adopted Christian style burials and memorials for their dead.
2. Prior to the British influence it appears that 40 days of mourning was the usual and the uprooting of trees to bury the venerated dead was quite normal. I understand that 7 days is the norm now.
3. The migration of the whole of the Luyah people from the North [Egypt/Sudan] brought with them the traditions of ancient Egypt. Including spirits, deities and the concept of good and evil.
4. A vast area of modern day Kenya was inhabited by Luyah and without more research I am intrigued as to why it is not now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhya#Leadership
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Traditional_Religion

I was intrigued by a Biblical reference :
Ezekiel Chapter 29 verses 6 - 17 which talks about the collapse of Egypt and the dissemination of peoples to the borders of Cush from where the Luyah would have migrated South to East Africa.

Hope this helps

Archie

Death rituals of the Luhya tribe?

Comments for Death rituals of the Luhya tribe?

Comments for
Death rituals of the Luhya tribe?