Samia tribe (Luhya)
Encyclopedia
Samia speaking people live in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. they are composed of several clans which include, but not limited to avahulo, avakangala, avangale, avanyanga,Avaburi, avahone, avamurembo etc. Their ancient economic activities include fishing [in Lake Victoria and other rivers like River Suo], crop farming [ovurimi], and animal farming [ovutuki]. They love music which is played in their various ceremonies, which include marriage [Ovugore], funeral [amasika], veneration of ancestors [evikuda mukutu and Enga'nyo, wrestling [amalengo] etc. Their musical instruments include; Adungu[ a large Violin like wooden instrument], Engave [a drum covered at one end with a Monitor Lizard skin], Erere [flute]. Their diet consists of a bread made of sorghum / millet/ maize flour which is eaten with vegetables, meat or milk. They also largely consume gruel and bananas. Years before modern government, Samia people used to live in villages called Engongo which were surrounded by a deep ditch [for security reasons] called Olukova. One needed a ladder-like contraption to access or leave the villages. People used to live according to their relations or clans. The chiefs [Avaami]ruled all the clans. The most famed chiefs include Mukudi wa Namwonja, Achibo wa Ondwasi, Ogoha Mwami, Kadima, Namagwa Bwire, Awili Apwoyo, Maiga Ogwomi. Up to today, the daily lives of Samia people are dictated by taboos and customs. For instance,a woman who loses her husband should be remarried to a brother of the deceased so that should this widow wish to bear more children, they should resemble their kin.