Umuhimu wa mafumbo yanayotumika katika miktadha ya wosia wa babu kwa wavulana miongoni mwa Wabukusu wa Kenya.

IKISIRI Utafiti huu ulihakiki umuhimu wa mafumbo yanayotumiwa katika miktadha ya wosia wa babu kwa wavulana miongoni mwa Wabukusu wa Kenya. Mafumbo ni kipera cha semi katika fasihi simulizi. Tafiti za awali zilijikita katika kipengele cha mafumbo zikishughulikia maudhui na fani ya lugha kwa jumla, lakini bado kuna haja ya kuhakiki umuhimu wa mafumbo yanayotumiwa katika wosia wa babu kwa wavulana katika jamii ya Wabukusu. Hii ndiyo sababu kuu iliyochochea utafiti huu kufanywa ili kulijaza pengo hili la kiusomi. Nadharia ya uamilifu ilitumiwa katika uwasilishaji na uchanganuzi wa data. Kata mbili za Kimilili na Kamukuywa ndizo zilizochaguliwa kuwakilisha kaunti ndogo ya Kimilili. Mbinu za mahojiano na uchunzaji wa kushiriki zilitumika katika ukusanyaji wa data. Utafiti huu ulitumia muundo wa kimaelezo katika kuchanganua na kuwasilisha data. Sampuli ya kimaksudi ilitumiwa kuchagua wazee wanne wa kati ya miaka sitini na sabini na wavulana wanne wa kati ya miaka kumi na nane hadi ishirini na mbili kutoka kila kata husika ili kushiriki katika utafiti. Ilibainika kuwa babu hutumia mafumbo kuficha siri, kushauri, kuonya, kuleta utangamano, kuhimiza ubunifu, kukuza lugha, kukuza maadili mema na kupunguza makali katika semi miongoni mwa wavulana. Utafiti huu utatumiwa kama marejeleo na wasomi wengine katika tafiti zinazohusu jamii ya Wabukusu.   ABSTRACT This research analysed the importance of puzzles that are used by grandfathers to advise young men among the Bukusus of Kenya. Puzzles fall under short forms in oral literature. Previous Researchers focused on themes and styles in general but there is still room for research that focus on the importance of the puzzles in the context of the grandfather’s advisory session to the initiates amongst the Bukusus. This is the academic gap that the researcher intended to fill in. The research was purposively done in Kimilili and Kamukuywa locations of Kimilili Sub County in Bungoma County. Functionalism theory was used in data analysis and interpretation. Functionalism theory emphasizes on the importance of all aspects of literature in the society. This research employed participation and interview methods in data collection.  Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the research sample whereby four elders of between sixty and seventy years and four young men of between eighteen and twenty two years were selected from each of the two locations to participate in the study. Descriptive method was used in data analysis and presentation. It emerged that puzzles are used in keeping secrets, enhance unity, improve creativity, language development, developing good manners and reduce tension in speech. This research will be used as a reference point for oral literature studies amongst the Bukusu community.