The famine history in Bunyore offers deep insights into how communities adapted to repeated droughts, pest invasions, and food shortages over time. Narratives from Abasiekwe elders show that major famines were so impactful that children born during each one were named after the event, becoming part of the cultural identity of peer groups. These famines shaped survival strategies and inspired significant agricultural adaptations.
Table 1: Major Famines in Bunyore History
| Famine Name | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Esileeta Bakhaye | 1884 |
| Olwendende | 1888 |
| Ongong’a | 1902 |
| Opande | 1907 |
| Keya | 1916 |
| Nyangweso | 1932–1933 |
| Esikombe | 1942–1943 |
| Mau Mau | 1953, 1965–1974 |
| Omukorokoro | 1980 |
| Saba L’lala | 1997 |
Key Famine Events, Causes, and Community Interventions
Nyangweso Famine (1932–1933): Armyworm Devastation
This famine was marked by a large-scale invasion of tsisiche (armyworms), which destroyed all vegetation. The Nganyi community survived by relying on food support from Luo neighbors in Nyanza, particularly Siaya. Potatoes and vines introduced by early white settlers also served as critical supplements during this crisis.
Esikombe Famine (1942–1943): Hailstone Destruction
The Esikombe famine affected both the Luo and Nganyi communities across western Kenya’s lake region. It was triggered by heavy hailstorms that decimated crops. Relief food was distributed or sold in small cup-sized measures, locally referred to as esikombe, with the quantity depending on one’s purchasing power.
Mau Mau Famine (1953): Drought, War, and Armyworms
A deadly combination of prolonged drought and the Mau Mau uprising led to this widespread famine. Weakened crops from insufficient rainfall were further devastated by armyworms. Communities turned to drought-resistant staples such as sweet potatoes, arrowroots, and cassava. By 1965, yellow maize (kipindi) was imported from the United States as a nationwide relief response.
Cultural and Agricultural Responses to Famine
Early Crop Calendars and Subsistence Practices
Before formal farming, the Luyia people of Bunyore survived through gathering and hunting. Traditional grains such as millet and sorghum were staple crops used in making obusuma (Luyia) or kuon (Luo), Kenya’s widely consumed ugali.
Introduction of New Crops
Many crops that now define Bunyore’s agriculture were introduced to combat recurring famines:
- Maize (Lituma): Introduced by Indian laborers during the railway construction era.
- Sweet Potatoes: Introduced around 1931–1932, post-armyworm devastation.
- Cassava (Mukhongo): Brought from the Kenyan coast, in two types—bitter and edible. The bitter variety was processed into ugali.
- Bananas and Pumpkins: Believed to have grown from seeds in elephant dung.
- Fruit Trees: Guavas, pawpaws, and oranges began appearing around the 1930s.
Legacy and Lessons from Bunyore’s Famine History
The famine history in Bunyore is not just a record of hardship but a testament to resilience, innovation, and cultural continuity. Through adaptation in food systems, integration of new crops, and community-based coping mechanisms, Bunyore has shaped a unique agricultural legacy. The naming of generations after famine events remains a powerful cultural reminder of the importance of food security.
