SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE SAGES IN PRE-COLONIAL LUO SOCIETY OF HOMA-BAY COUNTY; KENYA UP TO 1895

Abstract

Sages were instrumental in shaping the social, economic and political dynamics of pre-colonial Luo society. This study sought to examine the contributions of sages in governance, conflict resolution, economic organization and cultural continuity within Luo society before colonial interventions. The objectives of this study were to: investigate the presence and identity of the sages among the pre-colonial Luo society up to 1895; investigate the methods and processes through which sages transmitted knowledge and skills to the younger generation up to 1895; examine the socio-economic and political roles of sages’ knowledge and wisdom among the Luo society up to 1895 and assess the influence of colonialism on the status of sages of pre-colonial society by 1895. This study is anchored on Indigenous Knowledge Theory of Paul Silitoe and Basil Davidson, Functionalism Theory of Talcott Parsons and Social Contract Theory by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. This study adopted a qualitative research approach to explain the roles of sages in pre-colonial Luo society. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to collect oral data from informants including local leaders such as chiefs, Luo council of Elders and historians in Homabay County. Data was analyzed thematically based on content gathered and presented in narratives in a thesis. This study provides a deeper understanding of the role of sages in shaping pre-colonial Luo society. It will also contribute to cultural preservation by documenting the wisdom of Luo sages, including their economic strategies, social structures and moral teachings. The study establishes the presence and identity of the sages in premodern Luo society such as Nyakiti, Silermina, Gor Mahia and Ajwang wuon Yath winy with the unique items they possessed like, an animal remains and orindi as well as osimbo. The sages used methods such as songs, proverbs and riddles to pass information to the younger generation. Nyatiti singers of the pre-colonial time inspired singers such as Ramogi George to compose more educational songs. The study elaborated the political roles such as advising rulers and taking part in selection of new rulers among the Luo people, economic role such as advising on trading patterns and planting seasons as well as the social roles such as religion and initiation rites of the community and the effect of colonial rule to the roles of these sages. The study recommends the recognition of sages as custodians of indigenous knowledge, integration of indigenous governance models into local administration, revitalization of cultural education in schools and communities, inclusion of sages in community development planning, support for oral history and ethnographic research, and cultural tourism and economic empowerment through heritage.