tinega

This book is about the Abagusii, their land (Gusii), some of their sacred places, and some religious leaders and activities of the community. My late father, William Tinega Mwancha (1928-1994), used to say that ’ntwe ’mbasinto b’eriroba -- we (human beings) are sons and daughters of the soil. We were formed from the soil to which we will eventually return. For this reason, traditional Gusii wisdom regards the soil as sacred.

It is in this regard that literature dealing with Abagusii and Gusii should demonstrate an understanding of who the Abagusii are, beginning with their origins, migration and settlement in the land that they dearly love and regard as holy. For this reason, the origins of Abagusii, religious endeavours such as divination and rainmaking, and their shrines documented here can be seen as a contribution towards understanding the community’s social life, among other things.

Apart from the land (soil), Abagusii have places, items and people of special significance. Ngoro ya Mwaga, the Sakagwa shrine and Igena Monto are only a few of such sacred places and items discussed in this book. Among the community’s religious specialists, the book explores the life and works of Iriasi, the 20th-century Gusii rainmaker. Allegedly, Iriasi was intersex, a condition considered unique with religious significance by many people of his time. To his contemporaries, Iriasi was born that way for purposes of carrying out unusual tasks such as rainmaking, divination, and prophecy.

Further to Iriasi’s nature and religious work, the book demonstrates the relevance of some traditional Gusii religious practices, such as divination, to modern times.