Abaluhya bomas had a certain level of extravagance about them. In terms of placement, the hut nearest to the gate was strictly for the unmarried boys – presumably to usher them into the security role reserved for men.
But this wasn’t the first hut you’d see when you walked in because another stood at the centre of the boma, more distinctive than any other in this homestead. It was the man’s house and the place where he privately hosted his visitors. This hut had one large room that was partitioned by either a screen of reeds or a partial wall to separate the man’s sleeping area from his hosting area. Also visible was a tree, often in front of the man’s elaborate home. This was the homestead’s shrine for worship, showing that religious practices were customary in Luhya bomas.
Behind the man’s hut were those of his wives. His first wife’s hut was directly behind his, and on either side of hers were those of the second and third wives. The placement of these three huts was such that they surrounded the man’s hut.
Luhya bomas had a gate that was usually closed (presumably by the boys) at a certain point in the night. There was a smaller back gate between the first and second wives’ huts that was used by the man whenever he returned to the home late at night.
Now that you know about the boma structure, and it is widely known about Abaluhya’s love for food, do you think the man had meals in his hut with his sons while the wives ate separately in one of their huts? Let us know.
