The 13th edition of the annual Rusinga Cultural Festival in
Rusinga Island of Homa Bay county captivated both locals and foreign tourists,
signaling the growing popularity of the event.
Officials noted that the festival has become a key tool in
promoting the Western Kenya tourism circuit, attracting tourists while
celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage.
Held each year in late December, the festival is dedicated
to preserving and promoting Abasuba culture and traditions, particularly in
light of concerns that the Abasuba language may be fading as a result of
assimilation into the neighboring Luo community.
Many Abasuba individuals, particularly the younger
generation, are now more fluent in Luo than in their native language.
The festival organizing committee chairman Narkiso Okello
said they initiated the extravaganza for the current generation to identify
themselves with the language and culture of Abasuba.
The current generation is losing their culture due to
modernity and absorption.
During the festival, Abasuba elders teach young people how
to speak their language, names of various animals, working tools, household
items and how they are used.
They are also taught numerics and the alphabet in the Abasuba.
Abasuba language translator Victor Warekwa said they are
working with the Ministry of Education to introduce Abasuba language to young
children to enable them earn it.
Already, he said, they have translated the old testament of
the Bible.
“We organise this festival every year to enable young people
from the community learn and understand Abasuba culture and traditions.
Modernity and assimilation are a real threat to Abasuba culture and tradition,”
Okello said.
More than 83 children, locals and foreign tourists visited
some attraction sites such as Ruma National Park, Tom Mboya Mausoleum and Rocky
Island perching birds.
Deputy park warden at Ruma National Park George Ombuki urged
people to continue visiting the park to see a variety of animals.
“Visit the park to enable you to get a lot of experiences,”
Ombuki said.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) representative Erick Omenda and
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Henry Ogoye said cultural festivals are an
important component of tourism and foreign exchange earners.
Omenda said most festivals bring about what is unique about
a community.
In Suba, the festival is used to showcase traditional
food, music and dance, boat racing and fashion.
According to KTB, more tourists visit Rusinga because of the
activities and other attraction sites within the island.
“Many investment opportunities can be harnessed in the
region. We encourage investors to explore more in tourism,” Omenda said.
Rusinga Island and other areas around Lake Victoria form
part of the Western Kenya tourism circuit.
“KTB supports such cultural festivals because they help to
nurture talents and promote community cultural heritage and moral values,” he
added.
KAA said it is their fifth time they are supporting the festival as it enhances cohesion and integration.
Ogoye said they connect people through airports in Kisumu,
and Kabunde to visit Rusinga and enjoy the festival.
Rusinga MCA Samuel Okomo and Suba North NG-CDF officer
Ochieng Kenya said the festival enables many youths and the adolescents to
avoid engaging in social ills.
Okomo said the festival opens the area for tourism as they
promote Abasuba community cultural and traditional values.
“The festival strengthens integration among the people as they learn Abasuba culture and other ways of life.We all need to work together to grow our cultures,” Okomo said.
Kenya said with cultural events, young people are able to focus on the activities and avoid idleness.
“The young and energetic people are able to showcase their talents. In this way, we fight teen pregnancies and bad behavior associated with idleness,” Kenya said.
