Modern ethnicities Diaspora Performing arts Government agencies Television Radio Newspapers The Abagusii (also known as Kisii (Mkisii/Wakisii) in Swahili, or Gusii in Ekegusii) are a Bantu ethnic group indigenous to Kisii and Nyamira counties of former Nyanza, as well as parts of Kericho and Bomet counties of the former Rift Valley province of Kenya.

The Abagusii also have a close linguistic relationship with the Ngurimi, Rangi, Mbugwe, Simbiti,[2] Zanaki, Ikoma and Maragoli people.

Based on linguistic[2] and anthropological evidence, the Abagusii originated from the neolithic agropastoralist inhabitants of present-day Kenya, particularly from the former Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces.

[9] This perception is evident in excerpts from the East African Protectorate Commissioner Sir Charles Eliot in early 1900s expeditions of Gusiiland and surrounding areas: To the north of the (Uganda) railway the Lake shore rises up into the Nandi country and Uasin Gishu plateau.

To the south is a little-known region lying between the Mau range and the Lake, various parts of which bear the name Ugaya, Kossova and Lumbwa.

The inhabitants appear to be Bantu-speaking, and have a bad reputation for ferocity, but this may merely mean that they have a hereditary feud with their neighbours, who are not Bantu, and does not necessarily imply that they will be hostile to Europeans...Their warlike nature was deemed as a threat to British rule, especially the cattle camps the warriors frequented, and the British enacted punitive expeditions that raided cattle and crushed the warriors.

[19] The relationship between the Abagusii and their neighbouring Nilotic speaking communities (such as Maasai, Nandi, Kipsigis, Luo) is often painted negatively on social media.

The colonial perceptions of Nilotics as more hostile and warlike have continued to persist in wider Kenyan discourse as evidenced by works of scholars and researchers such as Ochieng and Ogot among others.

Prior to colonization, the Abagusii engaged in barter trade with these communities, especially the Luo people, and at times, worked together to defeat cattle raiders.

[4] As a result, there was limited contact between the Abagusii and Bantu-speaking communities, as indicated by Ekegusii having features not found in other Bantu languages.

The Bantu-speaking groups in contact with the Abagusii in pre-colonial Kenya include the Kuria, Zanaki, Ikoma, Rangi, Mbugwe, Ngurimi, Simbiti, some Suba clans, and the Maragoli.

[4][2] In the post-colonial period, however, contact with other Bantu speaking communities both inside and outside of Kenya has dramatically increased, both from British population relocations and the advent of modern transportation.

[20] In the context of the Abagusii together with Kuria, Zanaki, Ikoma, Rangi, Mbugwe, Ngurimi, and Simbiti, some linguistic and cultural evidence indicate that they may be more influenced by Nilotic and Cushitic communities than other Bantu groups.

However, the Abagusii were mainly pastoralists and hunter-gatherers who primarily relied on their cattle, goats, sheep, and to a lesser extent, poultry for food.

During the pre-colonial period, Abagusii produced iron tools, weapons, decorations, wooden implements, pottery, and baskets.

[9][22] The primary form of trade carried out in pre-colonial times was barter, and mostly took place within homesteads, as well as with neighbouring communities, especially the Luo; tools, weapons, crafts, livestock, and agricultural products were commonly exchanged.

In this period of isolation, the male initiates are taught their roles as young men in the community, and the code of conduct of a circumcised man.

Some of the notable musicians from the Abagusii community include: Mwalimu Arisi O'sababu, Christopher Monyoncho, Sungusia, Sagero, Riakimai '91 Jazz, Bonyakoni Kirwanda junior band, Mr Ong'eng'o, Grandmaster Masese, Deepac Braxx (The Heavyweight Mc), Nyashinski, Rajiv Okemwa Raj, Ringtone, Jiggy, Mr. Bloom, Virusi, Babu Gee,Vickyoung Ensanako, Brax Rnb, Sabby Okengo, Machoge One Jazz,Dela among others.

The Abagusii are also known for their world-famous soapstone sculptures, called "chigware", which are mostly concentrated in the southern parts of Kisii County, around Tabaka town.

Today, most Abagusii practice Christianity, with the four major denominations being Catholicism, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Swedish Lutheranism, and Pentecostal Assemblies of God.

The wedding ceremony involved a mentor, called an "omoimari", who could provide continuing support to the newly married couple.

The ebisarate, situated in the grazing fields, was protected by the male warriors to defend against theft by cattle rustlers and raiders.

The Abagusii customarily built fortified walls and dug trenches around their homesteads and villages to protect against cattle rustling and raids by neighbouring communities.

The post-colonial diet of Abagusii and other African tribes has been transformed and influenced by interactions with the European colonists that introduced new crops and farming methods to Gusiiland and Africa.

It is often served with rinagu, chinsaga, rikuneni, enderema, emboga, omotere, risosa, egesare, among other local green leaves consumed as vegetables.

Ritoke (plural: "amatoke"), a dish of cooked and flavoured bananas, is a popular snack, but is considered a supplemental food, and not a proper meal.

[9] For instance, certain professions like iron smiths ("oboturi") and warriors ("oborwani"/"chinkororo") were generally respected, but did not form a distinct caste.