Societal Bond: Nature and growth of Indigenous cooperative initiatives in Gusii Land

Abstract

This paper surveys the nature and growth of indigenous cooperative initiatives in Gusii land before the colonial period. It sought to contribute to the efforts of the Abagusii community towards the innovation of indigenous cooperative initiatives as an initiative for the transformation of the majority of the people in Gusii land. The paper employed the principle of modernization theory which asserts that a break from primitive customs was the basis for the development of any society. To him, development is ‘white’ and the only way developing countries can develop is to follow the footsteps of European countries. Nevertheless, the paper intentionally utilized the criticism of modernization theory to advance the objective of indigenous cooperative initiatives in Gusiiland. The study was done in Kisii County. The population of the study was sampled from the nine sub-counties of Kisii County using the snowballing sampling technique. The study further used primary sources of data collection which included oral interviews and archival evidence. In addition, internet sources and libraries were widely utilized as secondary materials. A descriptive method was used to analyse data collected from the field thereafter. The justification of this study was the rationale for the emergence and sprouting of indigenous cooperative initiatives in Gusii land. It was concluded therefore that - laziness was considered a disease and hence prohibited in the community and that the unity of purpose ensured not only food security but also ensured love for one another was bound and relative peace and security maintained. Further, findings were also evident that indigenous cooperative initiatives in the long run created a chain of bonds among the Abagusii which still exists to date.