Pre-Colonial Dynamics of Inter-Ethnic Interactions between the Abagusii and their Neighbouring Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68050/JAMS.2026.339Keywords:
Pre-colonial, Abagusii,Interaction and communitiesAbstract
This paper presents findings of the study that was carried out to establish the nature and context community interactions in south-western region of Kenya. The major focus was on how the Abagusii interacted with their neighbouring Communities, mainly the Luo,Kipsigis and Maasai. This study was anchored on the following objectives;to establish the historical evolution of the Abagusii during the pre-colonial period, to find out the major battles that occurred as as a result of the interaction between the Abagusii and their neighbouring Communities during the pre- colonial period and to examine the positive and negative outcomes of the interaction between the Abagusii and their neighbouring Communities during the pre-colonial period.Exploratory and qualitative research design was used to establish how these communities interacted. The taget population included the elders and knowledgeably people thought to be the custodians of information on the subject of study. Using purposive and snow ball methods, a total of 70 respondents were interviewed using questionnaire schedules. Data was generated through the use face to face interviews, observations and document Analysis. Data collection instruments used in the study were questionnaires and interview schedules. Both primary and secondary methods were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using the descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings of the study revealed that in the pre-colonial period the Abagusii evolved and developed as an indigenous community and that the initial interaction between the Abagusii and their neighbouring communities in the pre-colonial period was characterized by numerous battles. The later,this kind of interaction was by both peaceful co-existence and conflicts. Positive interactions in form of intermarriages, trade and cultural borrowing among others.Negative interactions included wars and raids. It was further established that inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic interactions had historical ramifications on the inhabitants' perception of nationhood. From this study, it can argued that inter- and intra-ethnic relations in the region. Findings from this study may be used by researchers who may want to understand how various other communities interacted in the pre-colonial times .Further,planners in Kenyan government may utilize findings from this study to plan for national integration and peace-building initiatives. The study recommends that Scholars should also consider studying interactions of other ethnic communities which were not covered by the researcher to enhance national integration.Further,there should be attempts by the government to interrogate and provide lasting solution to the occasional negative interactions such as perpetual border conflicts that exist between the Abagusii and their neighbouring communities in order to guarantee peaceful co-existence.
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