Muhuru Bay:Suba elder Ogada Orondo, driven by a desire to preserve the history of the Abasuba people, has authored a book documenting the heritage of the Abamuhoro sub-tribe. This initiative aims to safeguard the cultural identity of the community amidst widespread assimilation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Abasuba, originally a Bantu-speaking group from Uganda, settled in various locations around Lake Victoria. Over time, they were largely assimilated by the Luo, leading to the loss of their original language and cultural practices. This prompted efforts to revive and document their distinct heritage.
Orondo, an 85-year-old retired Forest Officer, embarked on a journey to compile the history of the Abamuhoro, a sub-tribe within the Suba community. Despite lacking a formal background in writing, Orondo spent 15 years collecting oral traditions and validating them through visits to historical sites. His manuscript faced initial rejections from publishers due to his non-academic background, but he persevered, self-funding the project and launching the book in August 2026.
The book is sold in Migori for between Sh500 to Sh1,000, with Orondo prioritizing educational impact over profit. Suba elder Odunga Nyamusi praised Orondo’s dedication and called for the Abasuba tribe to unite and preserve their language and culture. Prof. Rose Ogwang, the first Suba woman academician from the Abamuhoro clan, highlighted the county’s commitment to supporting local authors by stocking the book in libraries across Migori.
Samson Oganda, Orondo’s son, described the challenges faced during the book’s production, including high publication costs and publisher biases. The community is advocating for government support in reducing these barriers, such as providing tax relief on paper and reviving local paper production.
The book serves as a crucial historical resource, capturing the cultural evolution of the Abamuhoro, including the abandonment of practices like Female Genital Mutilation. The community emphasizes the importance of combining formal education with traditional teachings to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations.
