Kenya - The Mfangano-Rusinga Island Complex

Rusinga: S00 24 05 E34 10 00 Mfangano: S00 27 23 E34 02 05 Mfangano-Rusinga Island complex is located in Lake Victoria, South - west Kenya. The area is classified as semi arid to semi - humid type and has a bimodal rainfall pattern. The vegetation is variable but dominated by a combination of thick forest trees and shrubs down slope, while the hilltop is dominated by patches of forest and grassland. The inhabitants are the Abasuba people, a sub tribe of the Bantu of East Africa who have been largely culturally influenced by the more dominant Luo through interaction and intermarriage. Mfangano Island derived its name from the term 'okuwangana' which means to unite in Abasuba, or a place where people united. The name might have originated due to the fact that Mfangano Island provided refuge to groups that were conquered in the mainland by the more populous Luo peoples. Between four and eleven generations ago, the following groups lived in the island: the Wagimbe, Wisokolwa, Kakimba-Wiramba, Wasamo, Wagire, Wakula, Wakinga, Wakisori, Wakisasi, Waozi, Walundu, Wiyokia, Walowa, Waganda and Wakiaya. Mfangano Island is known for its ancient rock art sites, sacred sites whose description is provided below.