Continuity and Change in Indigenous Food Production among the Abagusii of Kenya, 1850-1970

Abstract

Indigenous food production is an integral part of cultural heritage in societies that rely on agriculture as a primary means of sustenance. Among the Abagusii of Kenya, food production has continued and changed over time, influenced by western culture and socio-economic changes. This study focuses on the continuity and change of indigenous food Production among the Abagusii of Kenya, 1850 to 1970. It examined the nature of Abagusii indigenous food production in the pre-colonial period,impact of western culture and social economic changes occasioned due to the Agrarian Change. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the nature of Abagusii indigenous food production during the pre-colonial period, 1850-1904, to assess the impact of western culture on Abagusii indigenous food production in the colonial period, 1904-1955 and to analyze the influence of social economic changes on indigenous food production during Kenya’s agrarian change in the period 1955-1970. The study applied articulation modes of production theory and modernisation theory. This study employed descriptive and historical research design. The study utilised purposive sampling and snowballing technique in achieving 38 informants. The data underwent thematic analysis, with the findings conveyed through description and direct quotations. The findings established that indigenous food production were impacted due to Western culture. Furthermore, Kenya’s agrarian change led to the implementation of the Swynnerton Plan. This emphasized on profitable crop and exotic livestock production. This occasioned, in the independent Kenya, embracing of western education, rural-urban migration and rural-to-rural migration which strained indigenous food production. Given the above findings, the study recommends that educational programs should promote indigenous food production and integrate it with modern methods for sustainability, the implementation of policies that balance modern and indigenous farming practices and addressing labour shortages caused by migration and supporting rural farming.