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The Nabongo Cultural Centre and Shrine is a shrine and cultural centre dedicated to the
The Mausoleum holds the tombs of past Wanga kings: Nabongo Wamukoya, Nabongo Shiundu, Nabongo Shitawa and Nabongo Mumia. The grave of Nabongo Wanga, the first leader and founding father of the Wanga kingdom, is separated from the four on a nearby burial mound dating back to the 12th century.
The site contains a traditional Luhya homestead utilised as a cultural and community hub. Here, traditional customs are carried out including the production of busaa, a local fermented drink.
Wanga Kingdom
The Wanga kingdom is a Bantu kingdom within Kenya, consisting of the Wanga (Abawanga) tribe of the Luhya people (Abaluyia). At its peak the kingdom covered an expansive area from Jinja in west to Naivasha in the East African Rift. The Wanga kin ...
of the Luhya people
The Luhya (also known as ''Abaluyia'' or Luyia) comprise a number of Bantu ethnic groups native to western Kenya. They are divided into 20 culturally and linguistically related tribes.
''Luhya'' refers to both the 20 Luhya clans and their respe ...
in Kenya. The shrine contains the tombs of Wanga kings or Nabongo are buried, including the founder of Mumias, Nabongo Mumia. Locally known as Eshiembekho, the shrine is managed by the Luhya Council of Elders.
The centre was officially opened on 13 December 2008 by reigning Nabongo, Peter Shitawa Mumia II and former prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga. The site contains various structures on the 12-acres of land: a royal mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...
, cultural centre, museum, library, bar and restaurant.
Mausoleum
The Mausoleum holds the tombs of past Wanga kings: Nabongo Wamukoya, Nabongo Shiundu, Nabongo Shitawa and Nabongo Mumia. The grave of Nabongo Wanga, the first leader and founding father of the Wanga kingdom, is separated from the four on a nearby burial mound dating back to the 12th century.
Cultural centre
The site contains a traditional Luhya homestead utilised as a cultural and community hub. Here, traditional customs are carried out including the production of busaa, a local fermented drink.
Library and Museum
A modern building stands next to the mausoleum with a library and a museum displaying Wanga traditional artifacts including Nabongo Mumia's royal regalia, weapons and traditional farming equipment. The museum also holds the first Kenyan flag flown by Joseph Thomson in 1883.See also
*Luhya people
The Luhya (also known as ''Abaluyia'' or Luyia) comprise a number of Bantu ethnic groups native to western Kenya. They are divided into 20 culturally and linguistically related tribes.
''Luhya'' refers to both the 20 Luhya clans and their respe ...
* Luhya languages
* Mumias
* Wanga Kingdom
The Wanga kingdom is a Bantu kingdom within Kenya, consisting of the Wanga (Abawanga) tribe of the Luhya people (Abaluyia). At its peak the kingdom covered an expansive area from Jinja in west to Naivasha in the East African Rift. The Wanga kin ...
* Wanga
References
{{Reflist Bantu peoples Colonialism Wanga Kingdom