The Luhya community is mostly found in the Western region of Kenya previously known as the Western Province. The community forms the biggest inhabitants of Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Vihiga counties.
The Luo community is also found in the Western region but specifically in the former Nyanza province. After the coming of devolution, the region as divided into counties with the Luo community inhabiting Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, and Homa Bay.
It is a common thing to hear Luhyas and Luos referring to each other as 'mashemeji'. The term has become so popular to the extent that a match between AFC Leopards which is mainly associated with Luhyas and Gor Mahia which is associated with Luos has always been dubbed 'mashemeji' derby.
So where did the name 'mashemeji' come from? The word 'shemeji' in English means in-laws. The reason why Luhyas and Luos refer to each other as 'shemeji' is due to the intermarriage between them.
Many Luhya men have married from the Luo community and vice versa. The intermarriage between them has been made easy by the fact that the two communities are neighbours, and have a number of cultural similarities.
In fact, many Luhyas know how to talk Dholuo fluently and vice versa. In areas such as Maseno and Luanda, it is difficult for one to differentiate between a Luo and a Luhya as both have similar characteristics and speak both languages fluently.
It is for the above-mentioned reasons that Luos and Luhyas have always referred to each other as Mashemeji.
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