Story telling was still a vital art in western Kenya in the second half of the twentieth century, as several collections published in East Africa testify. However, most of these books contain only English language versions and have adopted literary conventions which are not characteristic of oral performances. In this volume sixty stories are presented in one of the local languages which follow closely the oral format, based on actual recordings, together with faithful translations in English. The stories were collected around 1970 and show a wide variety of themes and modes of delivery. Book jacket.

The Bukusu of Kenya: Folktales, Culture and Social Identities explores the social history in Bukusu folktales compiled in From Our Mothers'' Hearths: Bukusu Folktales and Proverbs. Folktales mirror life by reflecting what people do, what they think, and how they live, as well as what aspirations they hold; thus, they are both descriptive and prescriptive. The heroes of Bukusu tales are farmers, shepherds, stepmothers, husbands, orphans, ironsmiths, hunters, neglected wives, scheming stepmothers, shepherds, and barren women--ordinary people from all walks of life. For many Africans, structures and values in folktales affirm their cultural identity, drawing on familiar words and expressions. The Bukusu of Kenya shows how folktales bring value and pressures to behavior. For instance, except in a few tales, females rather than males fall prey to ogres, commit social breaches and require male direction and protection. Most stories depict the triumph of the despised and weak, such as orphans and neglected wives over those who abuse power or good fortune. Folktales offer a poignant critique of the pervasive consumerism and individualism in society, celebrating, collaboration, honesty, diligence, and familial ties. Tales integrate the ordinary and extraordinary, depict human interactions with and among animals and portray human control over both the animate and inanimate worlds. On the other hand, the conspicuous omission of other ethnic groups and the depiction of the inanimate as lesser beings create an ontological hierarchy. The vast range in tales, depicted social roles, and narrators testifies to the creative power of individuals and communities in defining and transforming the social structures in which they live. Growing interest in cross-cultural experiences and culturally-relevant pedagogy highlights the importance of books like The Bukusu of Kenya: Folktales, Culture and Social Identities. Folktales appeal to audiences across age, time, and location, providing a link to a heritage of tellers, listeners, writers, and readers. This book is part of the African World Series, edited by Toyin Falola, Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, University of Texas at Austin. "As a School Board Administrator, I seek unique books and materials on people of African descent to recommend to teachers. Having read From Our Mothers'' Hearths: Bukusu Folktales and Proverbs (Florence, 2005), most of my teachers and students have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up. The Bukusu of Kenya: Folktales, Culture and Social Identities could not have come at a better time. Folktales have played a very important role in the Bukusu culture. This book is an important educational tool." -- Leonard Wandili, Program Officer International Languages and African Heritage, Ontario, Canada "I write to applaud the publication of this new book by Dr. Namulundah Florence. This book is another outstanding collection of Bukusu folktales coming soon after the remarkable From Our Mothers'' Hearths. The book serves as a permanent record of our culture, a long-awaited documentation of the values and aspiration of our forefathers captured and immortalized for future generations. The stories provide our people a rich resource from which they will not only learn and be entertained but will be guided for centuries to come.-- Everett Wakoli, Past President of Abeingo Association Canada "The Bukusu of Kenya: Folktales, Culture and Social Identities comes at a right time to enable Bukusus, especially the younger generation who may be eager to know their history, culture, tradition, music, marriage ceremonies, customs, etc. These folktales serve an educative role among the Bukusus of Kenya and connect the same people with the cultures and traditions of other tribes the world over. The growing cultural diversity in America calls for an acknowledgement of the origins but also contributions of individual groups to national traditions. Success in promoting cultural inclusiveness begins with training teachers from different locations but also knowledge of different traditions, many of which have shaped students'' lives. The market is ready for this book." -- Fr. Christopher Wanyonyi "Florence''s book offers an overview of Bukusu peoples'' beliefs and practices through time. The book celebrates our Bukusu cultural identity as much as it portrays the community''s aspirations. Other cultural groups acquire a glimpse of Bukusu core values. Such discussions create awareness about the need for a comprehensive cultural analysis. As an author, I have waited long for this research. -- F.E. Makila, Author of An Outline History of the Babukusu and Bukusu Folktales "In this book, Dr. Florence combines her literary training and her personal knowledge and experience of Bukusu life to produce an anthology rich in folklore, cultural traditions and social ethos. Though the focus is on the Bukusu community, the author also draws examples from other communities in the East African region. The product is certainly a document that will be of interest to students and professionals in cultural anthropology, sociology, literature, history, and comparative ethnography. The book should also be of interest to any reader out for leisure reading." -- Professor Simiyu Wandibba, Editor of History and Culture in Western Kenya: The People of Bungoma District Through Time

This collection of Bukusu folktales and proverbs provides a cultural heritage. The prologue includes a brief history and gender politics within the community. Earlier historical accounts draw heavily on oral narratives and legends. "Bukusu" is both a eulogist and descriptive term. The label of the Bukusu as the lirango liejofu [thigh of the elephant] establishes the cultural link between Basilikwa, Banabayi, Bamalaba, Baneala and Bakikaki sub-ethnic groups in Kenya. It also demonstrates the evolution of a plurality of cultural elements to a more homogenous heritage. Overall, Bukusu folktales portray male protagonists as rational, courageous, visionary, protective, etc and possessing inordinate power, even over death. Tales centered on women regardless of merit typically omit (adult) male presence. When females excel it is in persona viri, failing to undermine the patriarchal structure. The discussion also recognizes the complicity of women as primary storytellers and socializing agents in reinforcing sexism. As the "language of the culturally wise," proverbs function as cautionary injunctions with children and diplomatic chastisement or demonstration of eloquence among adults. The command of cultural mores and lores as well as articulation is an indispensable skill at public forums that feature tact and language sophistication. That proverbs reflect daily experience, speculation and regular common sense augments the legitimacy. They are concise, simple, and easy to recall, utilizing familiar terms and phrases-about dances, rain, drinking, grazing, cooking pots, birds, beauty, parents, bulls, and kinship among others.

Unbeknownst to most, the Luyia Nation is a congeries of Bantu and assimilated Nilotic clans principally the Luo, Kalenjin, and Maasai. Created seventy years ago, the Luyia tribe is still evolving in a slow process that seeks to harmonize the historico-cultural institutions that define the eighteen subnations in Kenya alone. Available records indicate that geophysical spread of Luyia-speaking people extends beyond the Kenyan frontier into Uganda and Tanzania with some Luyia clans having extant brethren in Rwanda, Congo, Zambia, and Cameroon. The 862 Luyia clans in Kenya are amorphous units united only by common cultural and linguistic bonds. The political union between these clans is a pesky issue that has eluded the community since formation of the superethnic polity. Although postindependence scholars dismissed oral accounts of Egyptian ancestry, new anthropological evidence links the Bantu, including those in West Africa, to ancient Misri (Egypt). A major historical and cultural change in Buluyia occurred a little more than a century ago when natives first made contact with the Western world. The meeting in 1883 by a Scottish explorer, Joseph Thomson, with Nabongo Mumia, the Wanga king, laid the foundation for British imperialism in this part of Africa.

Ruth Finnegan's Oral Literature in Africa was first published in 1970, and since then has been widely praised as one of the most important books in its field. Based on years of fieldwork, the study traces the history of storytelling across the continent of Africa. This revised edition makes Finnegan's ground-breaking research available to the next generation of scholars. It includes a new introduction, additional images and an updated bibliography, as well as its original chapters on poetry, prose, "drum language" and drama, and an overview of the social, linguistic and historical background of oral literature in Africa. This book is the first volume in the World Oral Literature Series, an ongoing collaboration between OBP and World Oral Literature Project. A free online archive of recordings and photographs that Finnegan made during her fieldwork in the late 1960s is hosted by the World Oral Literature Project (http: //www.oralliterature.org/collections/rfinnegan001.html) and can also be accessed from publisher's website.