For instance, the dead were never buried among the Bukusu community until the appearance of missionaries. "If the dead person was considered a bad omen in the community (murderer or thief), wild animals and vultures would not touch his remains. "The dead are buried at this ungodly hour so that their spirit does not come back to haunt the family members. If the dead person was arrogant, the elders burying him will put on facemasks and no child is named after such a person," said Butalia. Maboko further said that whenever a renowned person in the Bukusu community dies, he is given a special send-off and children born are named after him.

Source: Standard Digital January 01, 2021 09:33 UTC