Kavirondo

Kavirondo was a historical term used during the colonial period in East Africa to refer to a group of Bantu-speaking peoples inhabiting the region around Lake Victoria in present-day Kenya. The term is now considered outdated and potentially offensive due to its association with colonial classification and the generalization of diverse ethnic groups.

Specifically, "Kavirondo" encompassed the Luo people (sometimes distinguished as "Nilotic Kavirondo") and various Bantu groups including the Luhya and Gusii. These groups are distinct in language, culture, and social organization.

The term's usage was primarily geographical and administrative, employed by colonial authorities for census taking, governance, and other purposes. It failed to recognize the specific identities and histories of the individual communities it grouped together.

Contemporary discourse favors the use of the specific ethnic group names (e.g., Luo, Luhya, Gusii) when referring to these populations. Using "Kavirondo" is generally avoided due to its problematic history and lack of precision.