By Reporter
The thirteenth edition of the annual Rusinga Cultural Festival in Rusinga Island, Homa Bay County explored and exposed the vast potential of the western Kenya tourism circuit.
In a full house of locals and foreigners, the festival was a thrill and captivating that left the audience yearning for more.
Officials said the success of the festival was a testimony that the western Kenya tourism circuit was gaining popularity.
The festival which was held in late December was also meant to promote Abasuba culture and traditions.
It was perceived that the Abasuba language was likely to become extinct due to assimilation by the neighbouring Luo community as some members were unable to communicate through the Suba language but could eloquently speak the Luo 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 was losing their culture due to modernity and absorption.
During the festival, Abasuba elders taught young people how to speak their language, the names of various animals, working tools, household items and how they are used. They were taught numbers and alphabetic.
Abasuba language translator Victor Warekwa said they were working with the Ministry of Education to introduce the Abasuba language to young children to enable them to learn it.
Already they have translated bible books in the Old Testament.
“We organize this festival every year to enable young people from the community to 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 the 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 adolescents to avoid engaging in social ills.
Okomo said the festival opens the area for tourism as they promote the Abasuba community’s 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 behaviour associated with idleness,” Kenya said.
