The Luo community is an ethnic group based in western Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The largest portion of this ethnic group resides in Kenya and ranks third in the list of the country’s largest ethnic groups after Kikuyu and Luhya communities. They speak Dholuo as their mother tongue.
The community is known as one of the political superpowers in Kenya, with known political leaders as Luo natives. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Tom Mboya were the pioneers of Kenyan politics alongside the first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta. These political lords remain in the books of Kenyan history for their full involvement in politics, particularly during the struggle for independence. Even after independence, local politicians have maintained their power. The community recently made history when, in 2007, it produced Kenya’s second prime minister, after Jomo Kenyatta.
Facts about Luo people of East Africa
Statistics show that the municipality’s population has grown tremendously in the recent past. The current human population is approximately 4.6 million. This is a decent growth compared to the population in the 90’s which was about 3 million. The same applies to the Tanzanian Luo, whose population increased by around 600,000 people by 2010.
The Luo community mainly depends on fishing for their livelihood. The shores of Lake Victoria have always been a hive of activity, with residents of the region searching for their daily bread on a daily basis. However, not all Luos depend on fishing. Others are scattered at home and abroad and practice different professions.
History shows that the settlement of the Luo community in Kenya came about through migration from Sudan, where they moved along the Nile which drains to Lake Victoria. The migration took place 5 centuries ago. The migration took place in three different phases;
• Jok ‘Omolo
• Abasuba
The Luo community is believed to have grown from intermarriages between Luo and Bantus of Uganda. The current number of Luo sub-groups is 26. The Lango and Acholi ethnic groups of Uganda are considered part of the larger Luo clans as they speak the same language as Luos of Kenya and Tanzania. They belong to the Nilotic language group.
culture and festivals
Just like any other tribe and in Africa and beyond, this tribe has its own culture, traditions and festivals that define the lifestyle of the people. The culture and traditions guide their initiation rites, marriages, birth, circumcision, burial and many other things.
The Luo community is one of the least known communities to conduct their initiation rites in their own unique way. The usual mode of circumcision in most tribes around the world is to remove the foreskin of the male manhood. However, in Luo community, circumcision is characterized by the removal of 6 lower teeth for a man to be considered an adult.
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Another unique cultural practice in Luo is the wife inheritance. In the event of a man’s death, the deceased woman is remarried to the deceased man’s brothers or close relatives. The wife’s heir is expected to fully assume the position of the late husband, including observing all marriage rites.
Mourning in Luo country also happens in a unique way. During the Tero Burumourning event, members of the deceased family and community walk through the villages in their neighborhood, dramatically mourning the departure of their loved ones. This is followed by a big festival, symbolizing a life well lived.
After the death of a father, the older son in the family assumes responsibility for all family activities. He will ensure that everything is done in accordance with the will of the deceased father. This includes the division of family wealth among the legitimate heirs.
Most modern Luo natives have converted to Christianity, while others adhere to their traditional religious practices. With the current civilization development on a global scale, people in the urban areas tend to deviate from their root culture and adopt the urban culture. Luo culture is not as appreciated in urban areas as it is in rural areas. For example, the culture of the wife’s inheritance has been weakening day by day. The removal of the male foreskin as a means of circumcision is now being put into practice as a means of fighting HIV/AIDS. This is a clear indication of how slowly modern culture is absorbing native Luo culture.
Every year, people celebrate their culture with a cultural festival that is tagged the Luo Festival. The festival is attended by tribesmen and held in high esteem. It offers a cultural carnival and various musical performances.
Interestingly, however, the event is hardly quite a cultural event as one would think of it in the traditional sense. This is because the festival is heavily influenced by modernization. Despite this, the event does not fail to celebrate the fashion, food, music and culture of the tribe.
Luo tribe: people
Also referred to as Joluo, Jonagi or Onagi. The Luo are a very large group of people who are also found in Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Despite this, they are more popular in Kenya and Tanzania.
Claiming to be the black Jews of Africa, the literature has provided linguistic similarities to claim that the Luo people have a connection with the Hebrews. The connection was claimed to be during the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt.
People are known for living stylish lives with their intense sense of pride. Some call Luos “Queens of English” because they speak polished and fluent English. Natives of the tribe, especially those who are well educated, tend to possess flamboyant traits infused with modern lifestyles.
Besides the Odingas and Tom Mboya, there are many other Luo people who are very popular, including Barack Obama Sr., DO Misiani, David Wasawo, and popular actress Lupita Nyong’o.