Sound, color and pomp marked the launch of Kamukuywa based Bukusu Cultural Centre Tuesday December, 20th 2022.
The Centre, which is an initiative of the current chair of Bukusu Council of Elders (BUCOE), Kimilili Branch, Professor Bonaventure Wanjala Kere re-enacts the traditional Bukusu ‘Lukoba’ where six houses representing the six clusters are set.
The six clusters are Basilikwa, Bakikai Bamalaba, Baneala, Banabayi and Bamwalie.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka pledged to support any cultural initiative in the County saying such initiatives come with huge economic benefits to the people. “We will support this and many other initiatives that relate to culture.These initiatives remind us of our backgrounds, upbringing and our heritage. They have the ability to make our people re-focus,” he said.
He used the event to make additional announcements where he said that his administration shall spend shs15 million to purchase a piece of land and construct a modern market in Kamukuywa, and an additional shs15 million for the Chwele market as well.
Governor Lusaka caused laughter when he said for a long time he worked for Provincial Administration, he mobilized for the elimination of Busaa, the traditional brew in vain. “Hii haitasha. Na haina ubaya,” he said. He urged the government to formulate a plan to accommodate Busaa because Bukusu conversation includes it. “Busaa forms part of our conversation as a community, it will be beneficial to our community and many others who share with us the value of Busaa,” he told the excited crowd.
In his remarks, Prof. Bonaventure Wanjala Kere underscored the value of the community making indigenous language prime. “We have to make a deliberate push to entrench our language in the day to day communication,” he said.
He pointed out that other communities have made their languages primary in their own communications, urging the Bukusu community to emulate and embrace their own language and love it. “It does not mean you are primitive, or you are not exposed. It means that you value who you are,” he said.
Speaker after speaker lauded Prof. Kere for the initiative. Mzee Patrick Wangamati lauded Prof. Kere and called for the larger cooperation among the leaders saying it is time for them to lead the community by example.
Various musicians who included, Wanjala Mandari, Wanyonyi wa Kakaki, and Amos Bundu Bichenjanga and Wana Nandolia Traditional Dance troupe marked the event.
By Kituyi khwa Simiti
