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~ By 19th century, due to participation and gaining from trade, a number of people had
gained prestige and followers to be regarded as Akamba chiefs or leaders. For example,
chief Kivoi.
Economic organization
~ Due to variation in the environment, the Akamba participated in varied economic
activities.
~ Those who lived around the fertile Mbooni, ulu and Iveti hills practiced farming. They
planted sorghum, millet, yams, potatoes, sugarcane and beans.
~ Those who lived in the drier areas like Kitui practiced livestock farming and mainly
transhumance during the drier period.
~ The Akamba were also hunters hunting for elephants, leopards, antelopes and Rhinos.
They were gatherers who Collected fruits, roots etc.
~ They practiced trading activities e.g. they sold Ivory, feathers, shells hides, arrows,
spearheads, to neighbours and the Arabs, Swahili traders.
~ The Akamba were skilled Iron –workers produced spears, arrow heads, hoes, knives.
~ The Akamba Practiced woodcarving making tools and shields.
~ They engaged in pottery, making pots, mats etc.
~ They were bee-keepers for honey which they sold.
~ The Akamba acted as middlemen during the long distance trade.
The Abagusii
They originated in the Congo Forest like other Bantus and settled in the fertile highlands
of Kisii, Gucha and Nyamira Districts of Nyanza Province.
Political Organization
The clan formed the basic political unit for Gusii communities. Each clan was made up of
related families. Leadership of the clan was in the hands of a council of elders who
played a pivoted role in solving disputes, decided on inter-tribal marriages, maintaining
law and order and making executive decisions affecting the community like declaring
war. The council was known Abagata ba gesaku.The Abagusii also had chiefdoms made
up of several clans, which United to counter-attacks from their neighbours. Each
chiefdom was headed by a chief (Omugambi), assisted by a councilof clan elders.
The elders acted as ‘middlemen’ through whom people could communicate their wishes
and grievances to the chief. The position of the chief was hereditary.The Omogambi
presided over religious ceremonies. He led clan members in communal sacrifices and
social activities such as the planting and harvesting of crops. He also performed political
functions.After circumcision, the boys joined the age-set which acted as a military wing
responsible for the defence of the community.The Kisii still practice most of the political
features discussed above.