A man named Wanyonyi, hailing from Marakaru in Bungoma County, gained widespread attention recently for an extraordinary feat—he devoured 20 chapatis and a 5-kilogram serving of beans within a mere 10 minutes. This culinary challenge unfolded in an open field during the annual tea plantation season, where competitors are served a piping hot meal 45 minutes into the contest, captivating the audience each year.
Wanyonyi emerged victorious, clinching the championship title and securing himself free fertilizer and tree seeds for planting. Despite the astonishment of onlookers, Wanyonyi attributed his success to his remarkable eating ability, asserting that conquering such a substantial lunch posed no difficulty for him. Expressing genuine enthusiasm for the activity, he expressed his eagerness to participate in more eating contests.
The remarkable accomplishment of Wanyonyi is noteworthy given the considerable effort required to consume such quantities of food. In contrast, Wamalwa exhibited a seemingly innate talent for competitive eating, relishing the opportunities to engage in such events.
However, certain cultural norms, such as the Luyha community’s restriction on women eating ‘Ingokho,’ shed light on the importance of understanding and preserving cultural beliefs. Young people are encouraged to spend time with elders to grasp their identity and comprehend the significance of these norms and the potential consequences of disregarding them.
During a recent discussion with Bukusu elders John Sunguti, 78, and Amos Wanjala, 80, we delved into various Luhya customs, focusing on the tradition of prohibiting women from eating chicken. Though present-day allowances exist, specific parts remain off-limits for women, such as the coveted gizzard, which holds cultural significance. Ignorance of these customs can lead to serious consequences, even divorce, with some cases brought to court.
Derrick Makhanu, 55, suggests that the historical restriction on women’s chicken consumption was perhaps a tactic to monopolize the delicacy. He dismisses claims of health concerns associated with eggs for women, emphasizing their nutritional value. The elders and Makhanu believe that restricting women from consuming certain chicken parts stems from a fear that they might deplete the eggs, leaving none for hatching.
While these cultural norms may have once held sway, modern women like Anne, a 36-year-old financial advisor in Bungoma town, dismiss them as outdated and oppressive. She contends that education and civilization have empowered women, rendering such traditions irrelevant. Anne advocates for discarding beliefs that no longer align with societal progress, prompting reflection on the need to challenge discriminatory cultural practices against women.
