A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
National Museums of Kenya (NMK) identifies the Gusii, or Abagusii, as a Bantu-speaking community of western Kenya. It associates them with the Kisii and Nyamira areas.
NMK's account describes farming, basketry and pottery, and music played on obokano lyres and drums. Its collections include agricultural tools such as the obokombe hoe and the ekoiyo adze. NMK notes that funerary practices have changed and may blend Christian and older elements.
A second NMK story documents families of soapstone carvers around Tabaka in South Mugirango, for whom carving provides income. This is a specific local craft tradition and does not mean every Gusii person is a carver.
History & identity
Not established. Narratives of descent from Mogusii and of migration are community traditions, not biological lineage.
Sources & representation
There are two undated NMK stories on Google Arts & Culture, both retrieved on 2026-10-06. They share one institutional publisher.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
The Kisii Community of Kenya
Selected bibliography; museum overview of Gusii culture.
- 02
Kisii Craftsmanship
Selected bibliography; covers Tabaka carvers and collected tools.
Language & cultural connections
Source-supported language and cultural connections have not yet been compiled for this profile.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Museum online exhibitThe Kisii Community of Kenya — Google Arts & CultureResearch access: 2026-10-06
- Museum online exhibitKisii Craftsmanship — Google Arts & CultureResearch access: 2026-10-06
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.