Kuria people

Last updated

Kuria
Kurias singing and dancing.jpg
Total population
313,854 (in Kenya) [1]
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania , Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Languages
Kuria
Religion
Traditional religions, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Kisii, Luhya, other Bantu peoples

The Kuria people (also known as the AbaKurya, [2] are a Bantu community in Tarime District of Mara Region in Tanzania and southern Kenya. Their homeland is bounded on the east by the Migori River and on the west by the Mara River estuary. Traditionally a pastoral and farming community, the Kuria grow maize, beans and cassava as food crops and coffee and maize as cash crops. [3]

Contents

Overview

The homeland of the Kuria is between the Migori River on the east and the Mara River estuary on the west, extending from Migori County in Kenya on the east to Musoma Rural District in Tanzania on the west. On the south, their land borders Transmara District in Kenya and the Nguruimi area of Tanzania. On the north is Lake Victoria, with a small corridor occupied by the Luo and other Bantu peoples.

The Kuria are found in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, they live in the Kuria East (headquartered in Kegonga) and Kuria West districts (headquartered in Kehancha). In Tanzania, they live in Serengeti and Tarime Districts, Musoma Urban and Rural Districts, and Bunda District. The Kuria have recently settled in Tanzania's Mara Region.

Their neighbours are the Maasai, Kalenjin (the Kipsigis in western Transmara), Ikoma, Luo and Suba. The Kuria are divided into several clans, which live in Kenya and in Tanzania. In Kenya, there are four clans: the Abagumbe, Abairege, Abanyabasi and Abakira. Tanzania has 13 (the Abapemba, Ababurati, Abakira, Abamera, Simbete, Abanyabasi, Watobori, Abakunta, Wiga, Kaboye, Abakenye, Abagumbe and Wasweta, Abatimbaru), in addition to other minor clans.

The Kuria are traditionally a farming community, primarily planting maize, beans and cassava as food crops. Cash crops include coffee and maize. The Kuria also keep cattle.

Etymology, demographics and history

The name "Kuria" seems to have been applied to the whole group by early colonial chiefs, mainly to distinguish them from the other Luo peoples along the southern shore of Lake Victoria (who were known as Abasuba). According to major Kuria clan tradition (including the Abanyabasi, Abatimbaru, Abanyamongo, Abakira, Abairegi, Abakenye, Abanchaari, and Abagumbe), their ancestor was Mokurya. His descendants migrated from Misiri, and after many years of wandering along Lake Victoria they reached present-day Bukurya. According to this tradition, the Kuria have been divided into two families: the Abasai (from Mokurya's elder wife) and the Abachuma, from his younger wife.

In another view of the name's origin, between 1774 and 1858 Kuria people lived on Korea Hill (north of the Mara River in the Musoma district of present-day Tanzania). The region's inhabitants became known as "Korea people" after the hill, which evolved into "Kuria Hill". During the colonial period, the Kenyan Kuria called themselves Abatende (after the Abatende clan in the Bugumbe region); the Tanzanian Kuria continued to be known by their totems. Around the 1950s, the name Kuria gained wide usage. Mijikenda, Abaluyia and Kalenjin also became generally accepted as ethnic names during the 1940s and 1950s, when they sought political recognition from Kenyan colonial authorities.

The Kuria people may not have a common origin, although a number of clans claim to have come from Egypt. Kurian culture is an amalgam of several heterogeneous cultures. Among the Kuria are people who were originally from the Kalenjin-, Maasai-, Bantu- and Luo-speaking communities. Between AD 1400 and 1800, during migrations into Bukurya, the foundation was laid for Kuria cultural and political development. Early inhabitants of Bukurya were Bantu and Nilotic speakers, who brought their distinct cultures; the predominantly agricultural Bantu came into contact with Nilotic pastoralists. This combined agriculture and pastoralism, with nomadic tendencies. Kuria agriculture resembles that of the Abagusii and Luo, and their cattle-keeping has borrowed practices from the Maasai, Zanaki and Nguruimi.

Before the mass mobilization during the Ugandan-Tanzanian War (1978–1979), though the Kuria were only about 1% of Tanzania's population, they made up over 50% of its soldiers (then-President Julius Nyerere was from that tribe). Following the power and plunder of war, their postwar return to comparatively humble civilian life—heavily armed—led to crime, inter-communal violence, and power shifts. In particular, it exacerbated the widespread, longstanding Kuria tradition of cattle thefts and raids, which, in modern times, has expanded into widespread, intense, organized and commercial criminal activity—and concurrent vigilantism. [4] [5] [6] [7]

The 2024 Kuria population was estimated at 1,500,00, with 608,000 living in Tanzania and 892,000 in Kenya. Anthropological research in 2024 estimated the population of the Kuria in Kenya at about 900,000, and the Tanzanian population at about 700,000.

The Kuria people were primarily pastoralists during the pre-colonial era. The Kenyan Kuria lean towards crop production, and the Tanzanian Kuria tend towards pastoralism. [8]

Culturally, the Kuria people practice circumcision for both males and females until today considering modern practices. [9]

Tools

Wooden tools
English Kuria Use
Stooligitumbechair
Bedobhoreesleeping
Pestle ihurithrashing millet, cassava
Bowligitubhautensil
Hoeinkuroweeding and digging
Bowobhothaweapon
Arrowsimigwiweapon
Shoesimityambwidancing
Woven-straw utensils
EnglishKuriaUse
Storage basketegetongstoring flour
Harvest basketirikangharvesting Millet
Serving basketekehe, ekegaroserving food
Door shutteregesakushutter
Granaryiritaragrain storage
Ornamentsobhogekaworn by girls and women
Containerekerandi, egesenchoserving water, milk
Straworokore beerdrinking
Leather, skin, and clothing products
EnglishKuriaUse
Cowhideirihobedding
Goat- or calfskinegeseroclothing
Decorated cowhide or goatskinengemaita, embotoraceremonial women's clothing
Treated goatskinigisiritigirls' and women's clothing
Shredded skinamacharyaworn by boys during initiation
Thongurukini, irichitying cattle or firewood
Shieldingubhawarfare
Hood, crownekondowarfare
Pottery products
EnglishKuriaUse
Water potesengo ya amanchewater storage
Milk potekenyongomilk storage
Ugali potinyakarugacooking cornmeal porridge
Smoking pipeighikwabhesmoking tobacco
Flour potenyongo ya bhosestoring flour
Vegetable potiririghiracooking

Names

Animals or birds
KuriaEnglish
Nyamburigoat
Nyang’ombecow
Gainibull
Nyangoko/magokochicken
Wangweleopard
Wanduilion
Nyanswifish
Tyenyianimal
Machagezebra
Nchoka/waichokasnake
Ngutidove
Sariroeagle
Mang’erabuffalo
Nyanchuguelephant
Wankurutortoise
Kehengu rock rabbit
Ngochoparrot
Ng’wenacrocodile
Magigelocust
Kinyunyibird
Action or fortune
KuriaEnglish
Mokamimilkman
Motegandi/mohagachibuilder
Murimifarmer
Nyantahefrom container[ clarification needed ]
Muyabeauty
Mohonisalesman
Motongorifirst harvester
Mtundifood provider
Matindeland tiler
Waitaragranary
Mataro/machera/mogenditraveller
Mosetihunter
Mbusiroseeding grain
Clans or tribes
KuriaEnglish
Mwikabhe/IkwabheMaasai
MtatiroTatoga
MogayaLuo
MgusuhiKisii
Nyabasifrom Nyabasi
Mtimbarufrom Butimbaru
Mystical/abstract names
KuriaEnglish
NyanokweGod
WainaniJinni
Mgosifrom the north
Wanyanchafrom west/lake
Mirumbemist/fog
Saburegod of the Wanchari
Melengalisunlight
Nchota/nsatomystical snake
Matiko/butikonight
Ryoba/riobasun
Events
EnglishKuria
Earthquakekirigiti
Lightningnkobha
Rainwambura/nyambura
Faminewanchara/nyanchara
Harvestmagesa/mogesi
Floodnyamanche

Common words

KuriaEnglish
Amang'anageneral greeting
Mbuya ohoyereHow was your day?
Tang'a amanche ghakunywaCan I have (drinking) water?
Nuuwe ngw'iWhat is your name?
Omosanifriend
Omogheniguest
Omokhebharaa pagan
Umwitongoa foreigner
Omosachamale
Omokarifemale
Umwisekheyoung lady
Umumurayoung man
Kharibhuwelcome
Okoreebhuyathank you
Umurisiauncircumcised male
Iritokacar (from English "motorcar")
Isukhuurischool (from English "school")

Kuria is related to the Gusii language.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Kenya</span>

The demography of Kenya is monitored by the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics. Kenya is a multi-ethnic state in East Africa. Its total population was at 47,558,296 as of the 2019 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kipsigis people</span> Sub-Tribe in Kenya

The Kipsigis or Kipsigiis are a Nilotic group contingent of the Kalenjin ethnic group and speak a dialect of the Kalenjin language identified by their community eponym, Kipsigis. It is observed that the Kipsigis and another aboriginal group native to Kenya known as Ogiek have a merged identity. The Kipsigis are the biggest sub tribe within the Kalenjin community. The latest census population in Kenya put the Kipsigis at 1,972,000 speakers, accounting for 45% of all Kalenjin speaking people. They occupy the highlands of Kericho stretching from Timboroa to the Mara River in the south and the Mau Escarpment in the east to Kebeneti. They also occupy parts of Laikipia, Kitale, Nakuru, Narok, the Trans Mara District, Eldoret and the Nandi Hills.

The Nilotic peoples are people indigenous to the Nile Valley who speak Nilotic languages. They inhabit South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, the eastern border area of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Among these are the Burun-speaking peoples, Teso people also known as Iteso or people of Teso, Karo peoples, Luo peoples, Ateker peoples, Kalenjin peoples, Karamojong people also known as the Karamojong or Karimojong, Datooga, Dinka, Nuer, Atwot, Lotuko, and the Maa-speaking peoples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalenjin people</span> Group of Southern Nilotic peoples indigenous to East Africa

The Kalenjin are a group of tribes indigenous to East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya and the Eastern slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda. They number 6,358,113 individuals per the Kenyan 2019 census and an estimated 273,839 in Uganda according to the 2014 census mainly in Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kisii people</span> Ethnic group of Kenya

The Abagusii are a Bantu ethnic group and nation indigenous to Kisii and Nyamira counties of former Nyanza, as well as parts of Kericho and Bomet counties of the former Rift Valley province of Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suba people (Kenya)</span> Bantu group of people in Kenya

The Suba (Abasuba) are a heterogeneous Bantu group of people in Kenya with an amalgamation of clans drawn from their main tribes Ganda people, Luhya people, and Soga who speak the Suba language that is closely similar to the Ganda language spare some lexical items borrowed from [[Luo. Their population is estimated at 157,787, with substantial fluent speakers. They migrated to Kenya from Uganda and settled on the two Lake Victoria islands of Rusinga and Mfangano, others also settled on the mainland areas including Gembe, Gwassi, Kaksingri of Suba South and Migori and are believed to be the last tribe to have settled in Kenya. The immigrants to present-day Subaland trace their ancestry among Ganda people, Luhya people, Soga people, and the Luo people. The evidence supporting this is the fact that some Suba groups speak languages similar to Luganda, Lusoga and the Luhya. The Suba groups tracing ancestry among the Kenyan tribes preceded those groups from Uganda in present-day Subaland and are the numerous and influential ones. Those groups from Uganda are mostly concentrated in Rusinga and Mfangano islands with small pockets of them being found in mainland Kenya. Linguistically, the Suba are highly influenced by the neighbouring Luo, to the point of a language shift having taken place among large portions of the mainland Suba. As a result, their own language has been classified as endangered. Despite this language shift, the Suba have kept a distinct ethnic identity. The Rusinga Festival is held in December of every year as a cultural festival to celebrate and preserve Suba culture and language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilotic languages</span> Small language family of East Africa

The Nilotic languages are a group of related languages spoken across a wide area between South Sudan and Tanzania by the Nilotic peoples.

Dorobo is a derogatory umbrella term for several unrelated hunter-gatherer groups of Kenya and Tanzania. They comprised client groups to the Maasai and did not practice cattle pastoralism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mara Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Mara Region is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The region covers an area of 21,760 km2 (8,400 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of El Salvador. The neighboring regions are Mwanza Region and Simiyu Region, Arusha Region, and Kagera Region. The Mara Region borders Kenya .The regional capital is the municipality of Musoma. Mara Region is known for being the home of Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and also the birth place of Tanzania's founding father Julius Nyerere. Under British colonial occupation, the Mara Region was a district called the Lake Province, which became the Lake Region after independence in 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musoma</span> Capital of Mara Region, Tanzania

Musoma is a city in the east shore of Lake Victoria of Tanzania. It is the capital of Mara Region, one of the administrative Regions of Tanzania. It also serves as the administrative centre of Musoma Rural District and Musoma Urban District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luo people</span> Nilotic ethnic group in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

The Luo of Kenya and Tanzania are a Nilotic ethnic group native to western Kenya and the Mara Region of northern Tanzania in East Africa. The Luo are the fourth-largest ethnic group (10.65%) in Kenya, after the Kikuyu (17.13%), the Luhya (14.35%) and the Kalenjin (13.37%). The Tanzanian Luo population was estimated at 1.1 million in 2001 and 3.4 million in 2020. They are part of a larger group of related Luo peoples who inhabit an area ranging from South Sudan, southwestern Ethiopia, northern and eastern Uganda, southwestern Kenya, and northern Tanzania.

Kenya is a multilingual country. The two official languages of Kenya, Swahili and English are widely spoken as lingua francas; however, including second-language speakers, Swahili is more widely spoken than English. Swahili is a Bantu language native to East Africa and English is inherited from British colonial rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarime District</span> District in Mara Region, Tanzania

Tarime District is one of the seven districts of the Mara Region of Tanzania, East Africa. It was previously known as the "North Mara District". Its district capital is Tarime town. It is bordered from the north to east by the Kenyan districts of Migori, Trans Mara and Kuria East and West Districts, and to the east by the Maasai Mara game reserve. To the south, it is bordered across the Mara River by the Serengeti and Butiama districts, and to the west by Rorya District.

The Suba of Tanzania are a community of people in Rorya District, Mara Region, Tanzania speaking mutually intelligible varieties of the Suba language. They are mainly located in Nyancha, Luo-Imbo and Suba Divisions of Rorya District. The groups commonly listed as being part of the Suba community are the Hacha, Kine, Rieri, Simbiti, Surwa and Sweta. There are a total of around 80,000 ethnic Suba living in Tanzania, most of whom are still speaking the Suba language although some, particularly the Rieri, have started to speak Luo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Migori</span>

Migori county 044, also known as Suna-Migori, is a multi-ethnic municipal town which acts as the capital of Migori County, Kenya. The town is located 63 kilometers south of Kisii town and 22 km north of the Tanzanian border. The Migori Metropolitan area consists of Migori municipality and the adjacent smaller towns. The area has eight constituencies, namely Rongo, Awendo, Suna East, Suna West, Uriri, Nyatike, Kuria East and Kuria West with a total population of 393,012 according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics-sponsored national census of 2019. The neighboring town/constituency of Awendo has 96,872 and Kuria East (Sirare) has 117, 290. In 2010, The Star newspaper reported that the town (proper) had a population of approximately 100,000 people.

Kuria District was an administrative district in the Nyanza Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Kehancha. The district has a population of 256,086 and an area of 581/km2. It is inhabited by a minority group of people fondly known as Kuria people, also referred to as Abakuria (Mkuria/Wakuria) in Swahili. They are scattered across the Kenya-Tanzania border and are neighbors to the Kisii, Luo, and Maasai people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Migori County</span> County in Kenya

Migori County is a county in the former Nyanza Province of southwestern Kenya. It borders Homa Bay County to the north, Kisii County to the northeast, Narok County to the southeast, Tanzania to the west and south, and Lake Victoria to the west. The county also borders Uganda via Migingo Island in Lake Victoria. The county is headquartered by Migori, which is also its largest town. At the 2019 census, Migori County had a population of 1,116,436, almost 200,000 more than the 917,170 recorded in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rorya District</span> District in Mara Region, Tanzania

Rorya District is a district in Mara Region, United Republic of Tanzania. The district capital is the small town of Ingri Juu, while the largest town is Shirati. The district was created in 2007 from a part of Tarime District. It is bordered by Tarime District to the east, Butiama District to the south, Lake Victoria to the west, and the Republic of Kenya to the north. The majority of inhabitants are from the Luo tribe. Other ethnic group is Kurya. Kine, Simbiti,Sweta and Hacha are sub-groups within Kurya ethnic group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thimlich Ohinga</span> National Monument of Kenya

Thimlich Ohinga is a complex of stone-built ruins in Migori county, Nyanza Kenya, in East Africa. It is the largest one of 138 sites containing 521 stone structures that were built around the Lake Victoria region in Kenya. These sites are highly clustered. The main enclosure of Thimlich Ohinga has walls that are 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in thickness, and 1–4.2 m (3.3–13.8 ft) in height. The structures were built from undressed blocks, rocks, and stones set in place without mortar. The densely packed stones interlock. The site is believed to date to the 15th century or earlier.

The Kalenjin people are an ethnolinguistic group indigenous to East Africa, with a presence, as dated by archaeology and linguistics, that goes back many centuries. Their history is therefore deeply interwoven with those of their neighboring communities as well as with the histories of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

References

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