Abagusii Cultural Heritage · Kisii, Kenya
The living heritage of the Abagusii
Documenting, preserving and teaching the culture, language, crafts and stories of the Gusii people — through our digital museum, learning centre, marketplace and events field in Ogembo.
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Who are the Abagusii?
A Bantu people of the Kisii highlands, whose name carries the story of their forefather Mogusii
The Abagusii — also written Gusii or Kisii — are a Bantu-speaking community settled in Kisii and Nyamira counties of western Kenya. Their language, Ekegusii, belongs to the Central Bantu family and is spoken by roughly 2.7 million people (2019 census).
Oral tradition remembers a journey from "Misri" through eastern Uganda and the Mount Elgon foothills, across the Kano Plains, into the fertile highlands they defend and farm to this day. Our soapstone carving, ironwork, basketry, music and oral literature are recognised far beyond the county — and our elders still hold knowledge that was never written down.
The Mogusii Cultural Heritage Community Based Organisation was founded to make sure that knowledge is not lost: to document it, teach it in schools, show it in our museum and cultural centre, and share it with the world.
Explore
The cultural knowledge base
Identity & Origins
Abagusii identity, names, origin traditions and the story of Mogusii
ExploreHistory
Migration, settlement, pre-colonial society, the colonial period and modern Kenya
ExploreSocial Organisation
Family, kinship, clans, elders, leadership and community life
ExploreEkegusii Language
The Gusii language: dialects, vocabulary, proverbs, sayings and learning resources
ExploreCeremonies & Life Cycle
Naming, birth, initiation, marriage, family celebrations and remembrance — documented respectfully
ExploreClothing & Adornment
Traditional dress, beadwork, skins, ornaments and contemporary cultural fashion
ExploreMusic, Dance & Performance
Instruments such as the obokano, songs, dances and performance traditions
ExploreFood & Agriculture
Staple crops, indigenous vegetables, traditional foods, farming knowledge and food preservation
ExploreCrafts & Material Culture
Soapstone carving, basketry, pottery, blacksmithing, woodcraft and everyday objects
ExploreArchitecture & Settlement
The traditional homestead, house forms, granaries and settlement patterns
ExploreValues & Wisdom
Proverbs, moral teachings, respect, hospitality and indigenous knowledge
ExploreContemporary Culture
Modern Abagusii identity, diaspora, language use, arts and cultural continuity
ExploreThe Cultural Centre
Visit us in Ogembo
Our physical centre in Ogembo, Kisii is where the digital and living heritage meet: a cultural marketplace of crafts and clothing, an exhibition space for artefacts, a learning environment for schools and visitors, and an open field for cultural events and gatherings.
- Cultural marketplace — soapstone, beads, textiles, books & crafts
- Exhibition space & artefact viewing
- School & adult learning programmes
- Open field for cultural events & gatherings
Learn with us
Cultural learning programmes
From school visits to adult courses and research access — learn Ekegusii, crafts, history and traditions directly from community knowledge holders.
For Schools
Guided cultural visits for primary and secondary schools — storytelling, crafts, dance, language and history sessions designed with teachers.
Details & booking →For Adults & Lifelong Learners
Evening and weekend classes in Ekegusii, traditional crafts, oral history and cultural appreciation.
Details & booking →For Researchers & Universities
Access to oral histories, artefact documentation and community knowledge holders for academic and documentary research.
Details & booking →Start a booking enquiry → · Fees confirmed on booking.
Ekegusii language
Learn the language of our grandparents
Ekegusii is a tonal Bantu language with two main dialects — Rogoro (north) and Maate (south). Our glossary gathers verified words, proverbs and sayings, reviewed by community speakers.
Open the glossaryEkegusii
the Gusii language
Abagusii
the Gusii people
Obokano
eight-string bowl lyre
Omochie
homestead
Support our work
Heritage preservation is a community effort
The Mogusii Cultural Heritage CBO is independently funded. Your support pays for documentation, language materials, school programmes, the centre and the artists and elders who keep this knowledge alive.
What your support makes possible
- Recording elders' oral histories in Ekegusii
- School cultural visit programmes across Kisii & Nyamira
- Maintaining the cultural marketplace and exhibition space
- Printing Ekegusii learning materials and dictionaries
- Supporting artisan and performer communities
Visit or contact us
We welcome visitors, schools, researchers, partners and well-wishers.
P. O. Box 42-40204, Ogembo, Kisii, Kenya
WhatsApp: +254 254722169253
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00–17:00 (confirm by appointment)
Map — location pin to be added by the organisation