The History and Culture of Abakhero People Of Western Kenya

Abstract

It is worth noting that cultural research is a tedious undertaking that Africa has not performed well in the development of creative cultural industries. This may be attributed to lack of a strong human, financial, and material resource base that is required to facilitate the support and full development of the culture sector. Oral traditions are a very important source of African history and culture which should be documented and preserved as death of knowledgeable old people is a great loss to the source hence the reason for the researcher to write and publish oral books. Also, compiled by him but not produced due to financial constraints are a number of historical and cultural volumes.

In an effort to strengthen the bond and unity among the Bakhero people, the researcher initiated community meetings planned and held in the regions on rotational basis where the members are invited to attend in large numbers. In the old days, the Bakhero clan get-togethers were greater occasions than even Christmas celebrations. The whole extended family members gathered at least once a year to make merry for solidarity. The members met every December, rotating from one family to another and interacted with relatives. The family was united and strong. The people drunk beer and ate as women sang and danced.

The process of assimilation of the Bakhero was accelerated from the late 1800s, by which time the community was surrounded by the Luo speaking people in Siaya District and in the process Bakhero people were assimilated. The arrival of the Missionaries in East Africa in the early 1900s also influenced the assimilation process in Kenya, which served as the last phase of Bakhero assimilation by larger communities.

The aim of clan research was to examine and unravel the past history patterns, kinship ties, cultural practices of Bakhero people to come up with written reference materials to promote culture and enhance its contribution to community empowerment.  Researcher’s journey on this research project started in 2001 when he began gathering vital information on the Bakhero clan. Through these meetings, the Bakhero people of East Africa have come together to establish their roots in the spirit of clan discovery.

The research used both primary and secondary data to test the hypotheses developed in the research. Primary data was collected using visits and oral interviews while secondary data used in the research was obtained from books and journals. Respondents were chosen from the Bakhero of Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Migori, Kisii, and Kakamega Counties in Kenya and those of Uganda and Tanzania.

The objectives of the research led to some predicative relationships whose provisional conjecture was either to confirm or unconfirmed researcher’s insightful logical thinking in the light of some established facts such as determining the historical background of Bakhero People and their migration to their first settlement in East Africa, assessing an extent at which the cultural and traditional practices have supported the Bakhero community to this date.