Regional Museums in Homa Bay
Abasuba Peace Museum: Promoting Culture
Originally from neighbouring Uganda, the Abasuba community, more proper the Suba, predominate the rocky Mfangano island, and the Abasuba Peace Museum, founded in 2000, aims to promote and preserve their remarkably unique cultural heritage. Here, travellers can view a pictographic collection of the Abasuba rock art, visit the Magerenge shrines, learn at the communal centre, study more about culture at their library and enjoy a night or two either at their campsite or cottages.
Managed by Trust for Rock Africa Art (TARA) – supported by National Museums and the Tourism Trust Fund – the Abasuba Peace Museum was one of the first cultural museums to be established in Kenya. Needless to point out is that the world’s cultures, expediently in Africa, have been disappearing, taking valuable knowledge with them. But there is reason to hope. This museum is dedicated to preserving, studying, and exhibiting the cultural heritage of this particular region.
The Abasuba Peace Museum collects and display objects, artifacts, artworks and other materials that represent the history, traditions, customs and beliefs of cultures in western Kenya, with emphasis on the fast disappearing Abasuba culture. Travellers to this useful resource get to understand the significant cultural identity and history of the Abasuba community who, like many of the smaller tribes in Kenya, rarely get under the limelight. And theirs is a fascinating history!
The amalgamation of Wadira, Walusigge Wafuluma, Wakienya, Watenga and Wafira clans, all Bantu speakers from Uganda and Tanzania, hard pressed and not strong enough to protect themselves against the stronger tribes hegemonizing the main land, seeking refuge, were the foremost society to settle in Mfangano and Rusinga Islands. Arriving much later on Mfangano Island was the famous Wasano clan who came through Central Nyanza. They give Samia as their original home and claim to have been led to Mfangano Island by Lombro, Lusige and Serwe.
It is likely that these clans, formerly highlanders, picked up fishing as a way of life. However, they would soon to be unsettled by warfaring fugitives from the fierce Buganda kingdom, ergo they, Baganda, grouped them in two main clans, Wawire and Wasaki. To further their conquest, the Baganda invited mainland Bantu known as the Wanyama, and as a matter of course contrived three factions, Wanyama, Wasaki and Waware, who headed affairs on the islands. Initially, Waware had an upper hand, the newcomer Wanyama being their serfs. As the Suba legend tell; no Wanyama was allowed to keep bulls: These being symbols of Waware power.
In an incident where a Wanyama bull defeated one belonging to a Waware, the latter armed themselves and drove the Wanyama out of the islands to the main land to live among the Luo. Later, Waware also sought refuge among the Luos on the mainland. Those who remained, now collectively known as the Kamasengre, sought to become a part of the Wasaki. The historical process of assimilation of non-Luo clans by the Luo took place between 1850 and 1900 in the Suba area of modern Gwassi, Kaksingri, Kasgunga and the Islands of Rusinga and Mfangano.
The process of assimilation of the Abasuba was accelerated from 1850 by which time they were surrounded by the Luo speaking people. The absorption of the Luo practices, rituals, rites and ways was further accelerated by Luo girls who were married into the Suba community and carried Luo traditional ways of life with them. On the other hand, the Suba girls who were married by the Luo were forced to adopt the Luo culture and give up their own. Presently, the Abasuba, or Suba, have almost entirely stopped practicing their rituals and adopted the Luo culture.
The regional museums in Kenya offer a fascinating journey through the country’s history and heritage. They look back at ancient civilizations, cultures as they were centuries ago, cottage industries, colonial legacies, and archaeological finding – in specialization or as a combination – to give insights on the past and present.
Index of Regional Museums in Kenya
Baringo County - Kabarnet Museum, Kipsaraman Museum, Biretwo Museum, Busia County - The Kakapel Cultural Center, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Tambach Museum, Homa Bay County - Abasuba Peace Museum, Kajiado County - Olorgesailie Museum, Kericho County - Fort Tenan Prehistoric Site, Kilifi County - The Gede Ruins, Malindi Museum, Rabai Cultural Landscape, Kisumu County - Kisumu Museum, Lamu County - German Post Office, Lamu Museum, Takwa Ruins, Marsabit County - Desert Museum, Koobi Fora Museum, Meru County - Meru Museum, Njuri Ncheke Museum, Migori County - Thimlich Ohinga, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Museum, Nairobi County - Karen Blixen Museum, Judiciary Museum, Railway Museum, Nairobi National Museum, Nakuru County - Kariandusi Museum, Hyrax Hill Museum, Nandi County - Koitalel Arap Samoei Museum, Narok County - Narok Museum, Nyeri County - Nyeri Museum, Paxtu House, Samburu County - Kenyatta House Maralal, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Museum, Wajir County - Wajir Museum, West Pokot County - Kapenguria Museum
Privately Run Museums Around Kenya: Rhodia Mann Museum, Treasures of Africa, The Adamson's Museum, Taita Hills Museum, African Heritage House, Rev. Wray Museum, Maa Museum Enashipai Resort, Swahili House Museum Lamu, Museum of Illusions, Kapkatet Kipsigis Cultural Museum, The Gikuyu Museum, Memorial Peace Museum
outlook
Located in the western Kenya, bordering Lake Victoria, Homa Bay County is known for its scenic landscapes, extensive lakeshore, and vibrant community life. It also offers a rich blend of cultural and historical attractions. Touring Homa Bay County allows you to immerse yourself in a part of Kenya’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and immersive historical heritage that rarely gets under the limelight.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Abasuba Peace Musuem
A Guide to Homa Bay County
A Summa Digest of Homa Bay
About Homa Bay Way Back When
48 Destinations in Homa Bay County, arranged as one would visit these - southeast, north then west - with aid of narratives, strip maps and distance chart:
Sondu Miriu Hydro Station, Old Kendu Bay Town, Olmak Beah Resort, Kendu Adventist Gendia, Lake Simbi Nyaima, Ondago Swamp National Sanctuary, Kisindi Lodge and Spa, Homa Hills, Abundu Hot Springs, Bala Lawi Hot Springs, Kanjera Prehistoric Site, Kanam Prehistoric Site, Asego and Kasarua Hills, Homa Bay Town, Asumbi Catholic Church, Asumbi Resort, Kodera Forest, Ruri Hills, Soklo Kipenji, BJs Ranch, Mbita Point, Victoria Sands Lodge, Gembe Hills, Mbita Ferry, Rusinga Island, Rusinga Island Lodge, Tom Mboya Mausoleum, White Stone Beach Resort, Rusinga Island Festival, Ngodhe Island, Kasawanga Village, Mfangano Island, Mfangano Island Lodge, Mawanga Rock Art, Kwitone Rock Art, Abasuba Peace Museum, Siambi Resort, Takawiri Island, Ringiti Island, Mbasa Islands, Gwassi Hills, Lambwe Valley, Ruma National Park, KWS Obiri Guest House, Kanyamwa Escarpment, Nyamugondho Shrine, Gor Mahia Shrine
Know More About Homa Bay County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Homa Bay is split into two main eco-zones; lakeshore lowlands and upland plateau. The lakeshore lowlands lie between 1,163 and 1,219 ms, with a long stretch bordering Lake Victoria along the north.
Homa Bay has an inland equatorial climate pattern modified by altitude, and Lake Victoria. Temperature ranges from 18oC to 33oC, with the warmest months being between December and March. February is usually the hottest month of the year.
