Emergence and Growth of Islam among the Abawanga of Kakamega County, Kenya; 1880–2010
| dc.contributor.author | Luchu, Reuben Pasa | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-30T09:36:52Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-30T09:36:52Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-09 | |
| dc.description | A Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (History) of Kenyatta University, September 2025 Supervisor: 1.Susan Waiyego Mwangi 2.Julius Simiyu Nabende | |
| dc.description.abstract | The study examined the growth of Islam among the Abawanga in Kakamega County from 1880 to 2010. The research was guided by the following objectives; to examine the origin and development of Islam among the Abawanga up to 1899, to assess the trends in the spread of Islam among the Abawanga during the colonial period from 1900 to 1963, and to assess continuity and change in Islam among the Abawanga in the post-colonial era from 1964 to 2010. This study is based on three fundamental premises that: First, the intermarriages between the Arab-Swahili men and women from among the Abawanga influenced the penetration of Islam in Wangaland; second, Western education and Christianity hindered the spread of Islam among the Abawanga of Mumias, Kakamega County during the colonial period; third, globalization and modernization impacted the spread and practice of Islam among the Abawanga in the post-colonial era. The permeation and persistent existence of Islam in Wangaland, a region that is majorly rural and is predominantly Christian posed an interesting problem for study. The study was guided by Acculturation theory and Social Exchange theory. The theories proved invaluable in identifying areas of convergence and divergence between Abawanga socio-cultural practices, Islam and modernity. The study adopted a historical research design to document the emergence and subsequent growth of Islam among the Abawanga. The historical methods of data collection were used. Oral interviews, archival material and library research were used in identifying, collecting and collation of data for this study. Muslim sages, Muslim religious leaders, Muslim youth and Muslim elders, and Christians, all from the Abawanga community were the respondents of this study. The data collected was analyzed qualitatively using historical techniques of narration, description, inference and logical explanation and distributed to the relevant chapters. The study findings were presented as a critical narrative of the permeation, spread and changes and continuity of Islam among the Abawanga from 1880 to 2010.The research established that the increased trade and contact between the Abawanga and Arab-Swahili traders in the late 19th century played a significant role in spread of Islam among the Abawanga. The study recommended that Muslim leaders engage constructively with other faith traditions to maximize the benefits of their shared coexistence. The study suggested the need for further inquiry into the prevalence of Islamophobia and negative stereotypes about Islam among the Abawanga, and how these have influenced community relations | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32885 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Emergence and Growth of Islam among the Abawanga of Kakamega County, Kenya; 1880–2010 | |
| dc.type | Thesis |