Culture and art
Iteso Clan elders have urged youths to embrace and restore the Culture and traditional lifestyle of the Iteso community to restore the dignity and sanity of life which has deteriorated in recent days. Speaking at the burial ceremony of Faith Amoit Wekesa at Kekalet in Teso North, the Iteso Leader Emormor Itebat said that most deaths are a result of cultural negligence.
He observed that the present generation have neglected the traditions and emulated the western culture which has contributed immensely in societal moral decay and is a major contributor to chronic diseases like cancer.
“Having an ignorant generation in matters of culture is alarming and dangerous to our culture now and the generations to come” Itebat said. The leader explained the need for cultural heritage across all generations and reminded the Community to emulate the lifestyle of their ancestors and forefathers.
With the rise of cancer and other emerging ailments, Itebat says that people should start eating vegetables and traditional foodstuffs free from chemical condemnations as this helped extend one’s lifespan. He says that the modernity in cooking styles and ingredients gear in the spread of unknown and hazardous ailments in communities.
The Emormor also urge the youths to follow the right channels and seek guidance before engagement and marriages to avoid divorce and harassment and abuse in marriage life. Early marriages and abortions have been shunned by the leaders explaining that if conduct and traditional respect was adhered such happenings wouldn’t be visible in their land Teso.
The move comes days after the county government of Busia embarked on promoting tourism in the county by marketing local tourist destinations within the county which might be the greatest source of revenue collection if well nurtured and marketed.
Kakapel National Monument in Teso North Busia County is one of Kenya’s premier rock artworks in Kenya that is little known even by the Busia residents in spite of it having unique ancient wall drawings and caves. The other ones are Nairobi National Park, Lewa Downs in Meru County, one in Turkana County, and another one in Mfangano Island in Homabay.
According to the Director, Department of Tourism in Busia County, Ms. Inviolata Ndubi, the department took the initiative to promote all tourist sites in the County to sensitize Busia residents.
“Little is known about the tourist sites in Busia including the famous Kakapel monument in Teso North which has unique ancient wall drawings and caves. Busia residents hardly know about the site apart from the researchers who visit the site for their academic purposes. The monument hosts Chelelemuk hills which are good for hiking and also gives a clear view of Mt Elgon, Tororo rocks in Uganda, and Siaya plains in Siaya County. The highest point of the hills is 270 meters above the ground,” she noted.
