Why Balunda of Bukusu tribe bury their dead while seated

Most communities in Kenya are known to bury their dead while asleep in the coffin. However, the Balunda clan among the Bukusu sub-tribe in the Luhya community have a different culture where the dead are buried while seated in the coffin.

It’s perceived that the Balunda clan are the rainmakers that’s why when they are being burred, it must rain before they seat in the grave.

Residents of Namarambi village, Webuye East constituency, on 17th October 2020 had an opportunity to see how the Balunda clan carries out their burial ceremony where the dead are made to seat in the coffin.

While speaking to the media the chairman of Balunda clan Mzee Enock Sirengo narrates how they came to adopt this type of culture.

“He (Mulunda) had gone to graze his livestock in the field. During the evening, the villagers saw the cattle coming back home alone, so they began looking for the old man who had been in a debilitated state.

“The villagers soon found the old man dead on an anthill. His children and friends decided to bury him where he died, in his sitting position,” Sirengo said.

This is after their leader Mulunda died while seated on anthill, making them to carry out the norm of burying their dead while seated.

Former Webuye MP and local government Musikari Kombo who is a descendant of the Balunda clan eulogized his brother as one who loved culture.

He urged Kenyans and mostly Bungoma residents to take charge in the fight against coronavirus by wearing masks. He also called upon the president to continue with his process of uniting the country.

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Edwin Khisa
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