Full Description
This edited work represents a contribution to scholars, primarily social scientists, meant to address various aspects of the traditional history and culture of the Gusii people of southwestern Kenya. Today, the Gusii are the fifth largest ethnic group in this East African nation. This book seeks to fill the gap in scholarly knowledge in its contributions from a detailed summary of traditional history to an examination of pre-colonial social and political organization, with chapters that focus on such diverse topics as language, music, folklore, witchcraft, and land tenure practices.
Contents
Foreword by William R. Ochieng; Preface; Introduction; Part IOrigin and Evolution of the Gusii; 1. Historical Evolution of the Gusii - John S. Akama; 2. Surviving Against All Odds: Gusii Movement into Their Current Homeland - John S. Akama; 3. Gusii Demographic Trends - John S. Akama; 4. Language and Its Usage - Nathan Oyori Ogechi; Part II: Social and Political Institutions; 5. Social Organization and Administration of Justice - John S. Akama; 6. The Indigenous Education System: the Making of a Gusii Man or Woman - John S. Akama; 7. Ekegusii Folklore - Emily Bosire-Ogechi; 8. Gusii Folk Music - Augustino Osoro Onkware; Part III: Initiation and Marriage Ceremonies; 9. Circumcision Ceremony - John S. Akama and Solomon Monyenye; 10. The Initiates' Seclusion Period - John S. Akama and Solomon Monyenye; 11. Customary Marriage - John S. Akama; Part IV: Land Tenure System and Usage; 12. Evolving Land Tenure and Agricultural Systems - Tom M. Ndege; 13. The Socio-economic, Philosophical and Spiritual Value Attached to Land - Michael Mabururu Ntabo; 14. Traditional Land Tenure - Masese Rosana Eric; 15. Agricultural Systems - Robert Maxon; Part V: Other Aspects of Gusii Culture and Ethnology; 16. Gusii Traditional Medicine - Isaac Sindiga; 17. Gusii Resistance to Colonial Invasion - Robert Maxon; 18. Witchcraft Among the Gusii - Masese Rosana Eric; 19. Controversy Over the Role of Initiation Ceremonies in a Changing Social Environment - Solomon Monyenye; 20. Tourism and the Preservation of Gusii Cultural Heritage - Kennedy Ondimu Ingega; 21. Urbanization - Robert Maxon; Bibliography; Index.
