Abasuba community fights to cushion its culture from extinction

Traditional dancers were showcasing the rich of the Abasuba community at Kamasengre Secondary School during Rusinga Cultural Festival. The Abasuba community has intensified its annual festival to cushion the community from extinction of its cultural. [James Omoro, Standard]

The Abasuba community is banking on the colourful and vibrant Rusinga Cultural festival to protect its cultural practices from becoming extinct after they were assimilated by the Luo community.

Through the festival held towards the end of December in Rusinga Island, Homa Bay County, the community strives to redeem its culture, especially language.

This year’s event at Kamasengre Secondary School thrilled residents through educative and entertaining segments.

Festival organising committee chairman Narkiso Okello said the extravaganza targets the current generation to identify themselves with the Abasuba language and culture.

During the festival, Abasuba elders teach young people how to speak their language, names of various animals, working tools, household items, artifacts and how they are used.

The youth and children are taught how to be eloquent in the language. The festival also showcases traditional food, music and dance, boat racing and fashion of the community.

“Assimilation and modernity are serious threats to Abasuba language and our cultural practices. This festival enables young people from the community to learn and overcome the threats,” Okello said. 

Abasuba language translator Victor Warekwa said they are engaging the Ministry of Education to introduce Abasuba language in the curriculum of primary education. This will promote the Abasuba language.

Warekwa said they had translated Bible books in the Old Testament to the Abasuba language. “The translated biblical books are part of our efforts to promote our language,” he said.

A number of locals and foreign tourists attended the festival. They visited some attraction sites such as Tom Mboya Mausoleum, Ruma National Park and Rocky Island perching birds.

Kenya Tourism Board representative Erick Omenda and Kenya Airports Authority’s Henry Ogoye said cultural festivals are an important component of tourism. Omenda said a cultural festival reveals the uniqueness of a community.

“Many tourists are visiting Rusinga Island because of the activities and other attraction sites within the island. We encourage investors to direct their energy in tourism,” he said.

Ogoye said the festival enhances integration. He said they connect people through airports in Kisumu and Kabunde to visit Rusinga and enjoy the festival. Rusinga MCA Samuel Okomo said the festival enables youth and adolescents to avoid engaging in social ills.