There are more Abagusii in US than they are in Kisii town itself. Just like Boston is for Kikuyu so is Minnesota for Kisii.
The Abagusii/Kisii is a community of Bantu speakers that inhabit in
Kisii and Nyamira counties of Nyanza province, western part of Kenya
My first ever study abroad adventure started in Minnesota. I was invited by my sister who was invited by our Aunt who was invited by her husband who was invited by his Uncle who was invited by his brother who was invited by father who was invited by the then chief of Nyamira who won a green card. It's a chain- nobody invites themselves.
It was the worst time of the year, Winter! The weather was about −57 °F (−49 °C) - the coldest temperature my hair had ever experienced. My eyes were freezing, my feet were numb and my hands could not touch a thing. The cold had already messed up my brains and I could not think properly. Were it not for a good Samaritan who saw how confused I looked and offered to help, I would have missed my connection flight from Chicago to Minneapolis-St Paul.
On arrival, I was welcomed by about 6 inches of snow and smiles from almost everyone at the airport. My reflex action was to check if my fly was open. "Welcome to Minnesota," said my host. "we all wear that fake smile called 'Minnesota nice' It won't be long before you start wearing it too"
#CHURCH
My first church experience was at Kenya Community SDA Church in Minneapolis (bare in mind am not from an SDA background). Sabbath begins on Friday evening, ladies are not allowed to wear trousers to church, pork is a forbidden food and church lasted for hours. I could not believe that such practices happen in America -I was amazed! this was like a little kisii town.
Whenever there was elderly visitors from Kisii, the preacher would speak Kisii throughout the service and the choir would sing Swahili songs.
#FOOD
Believe it or not, all types of food grown in Kisii land are also found in Minnesota. Residence of Minnesota can access foods like ugali, sweet bananas, matoke, managu, risosa, kunde, mapera anything you want, name it it will be shipped- thanks to the Somali businessmen who own shipping companies. Not forgetting Nyamachoma (roast meat) and Omena. The Somalis don't play I heard they once shipped a live goat.
There is no room for home sick at least not when it comes to food.
#ENTERTAINMENT
There is an Ethiopian restaurant called the Blue Nile that turns into a night club during ungodly hours. They play all types of African music from the west, East, South and Central Africa that can take your mind on a road trip back to your village backyard. The Kisiis however, thought that their needs were not adequately catered for, and so they introduced 'Essaga saga nite' - the Kisii version of Ramogi nite.
#BABY SITTING
Kisii baby sitters are just a phone call away. From the moment a typical kisii mother conceives, they decide to shop around for grandmothers who are visiting their relatives indefinitely. They begin to book their services in advance even before giving birth. It's Crazy- a pregnant Kisii in town means someone's grandmother will have to extend their visiting visa, if they choose to take the call.
.....To be continued
