The Bagisu inhabit the Western and Southern parts of Mt. Elgon. They occupy the present districts of Mbale, Manafa and Sironko in Eastern Uganda.

The Bagisu have no tradition of an early migration from somewhere. They assert that their ancestor were called Mundu and Seera whom tradition says came out of a hole in Mt. Masaba (Elgon).

They are basically Bantu speaking people with some Cushitic and Kalenjin influence. The ancestors came from the direction of North east probably Ethiopia and settled at the Uasin-Gishu plateau, with time they left the plateau and moved to Mt. Elgon areas due to good hospitality of the Masai and the Nandi. They refer to themselves as the Bamasaba meaning descendants of Masaba.

Social organisation

The social organisation of the Bagisu was based on clans and lineages. Each clan inherited land and social values of their ancestors.

Male circumcision, which is popularly known as Imbalu was and still is a very important social function. It therefore acted as a rallying point of unity and identification.

Those circumcised at the same time formed an age group known as Bamakochi. They respected each other wherever they went.

This marked entry into full membership of the clan and licensed one to marry and participate fully in the social activities of the clan.

Elderly men and women inculcated social values into the youth through songs and folk tales.

Boys were instructed into duties of manhood that is building, hunting, iron smelting, pottery among others.

Girls were taught domestic science and modesty, that is virginity, prudence, charity and magnetic phenomena.

Marriage was officially recognised after payment of bride price.

A man's position was judged to the number of women and cattle owned.

Women wore robes from softened skins and skirts from banana fibres-Baringo. Men's traditional attire was from animal hides- Likutusi.

Wrestling and dancing especially at harvest time that is dry seasons were important recreation activities.

Recognised interdependence of the living and the dead that is ancestor worship.

Political organisation

The Bagisu were organised on clan basis. Each clan had its own leader called Umukasia

Administration of justice, law and order often executed after consultations among elders usually forming a clan council known as Lukhobo.

Usually administered according to established customary practise.

Interclan disputes seldom resulted into war, usually emissaries from an antagonistic clans negotiated terms of peace.

The Bagisu are friendly except when provoked or attacked. Usually raided by the Iteso.

Economic

Settled on the slopes of Mt. Elgon which are fertile and rainfall is plenty. Became agriculturalists growing various crops such as bananas, millet, sorghums, yams , fruits and vegetables

Used both wooden and iron implements for cultivation. They also kept cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.

They hunted wild game, gathered roots, mushrooms, bamboo shoots popularly known as Kamaleha from Mt. Elgon forest, wax and honey from forests.

Enjoyed higher material standards that is plenty of food-meat, grains, fruits, milk, beverages and wines.

Craft industry was very important that is bakery, pottery, wood curving, smoothing and leather tanning.