The Luo Tribe
The Lake and Fishing Tribe of Kenya
The Luo tribe is Kenya's third largest ethnic group following the Kikuyu and Luhya. Luos make up approximately 12 percent of Kenya's population.
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Luos, a Nilotic people, also live in smaller numbers in Uganda and Tanzania. In Kenya, the Luo reside in the regions around Lake Victoria. The Lango and Acholi tribes of Uganda are considered to be clans of the Luo tribe since their language is similar to the Luo language, Dholuo.
Historians believe that the Luo and other Kenyan Nilotic tribes originally came from the Nile regions of Sudan, entering Kenya through Northern Uganda. Upon their arrival in Kenya, Luos settled in the present day Nyanza Province, where they are neighbors to the Kisii, Luhya and Kipsigis tribes.
Luo Culture, Lifestyle & Religion
Luo people are among the few Kenyan tribes that do not traditionally circumcise their males as an initiation to manhood. Instead, in Luo traditions, initiation involves the removal of six front teeth - three each from the upper and lower jaws.
Another unique Luo custom is wife inheritance whereby, if a man dies, one of his brothers or close relatives inherits his widow and must meet all of her marital requirements. The Luo mourning ceremony, tero buru, is still widely practiced. This is a unique, elaborate and dramatic ceremony that symbolizes the departure of a loved one.
While most Luos are now Christians, many still uphold most of their traditional cultural customs. This is especially true for those living in the rural areas. However, some of the Luo cultural practices now regarded as retrogressive are slowly fading away, such as wife inheritance. As well, recent efforts have been made to promote male circumcision among the Luo, Teso and Turkana people, to help curb the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Perhaps one of the most interesting and noticeable attributes common among the elite, educated or urban Luo people is their flamboyant character and sense of style, in addition to their polished and eloquent command of the English language, otherwise known as The Queen's English.
Political History of the Luo
Under British colonial rule, the Luo people did not have their land taken from them, unlike other Kenyan tribes. However, through their political participation, Luos played a key role in the attainment of Kenya's independence. Two prominent Luo politicians of that era were Ochieng Aneko and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
In the late 1960s, former vice-president Jaramogi Odinga - the most influential Luo politician at the time - had political differences with President Jomo Kenyatta. Jaramogi resigned from the government and formed an opposition party - the Kenya People's Union. Since that time, the Luo tribe have been Kenya's strongest voice in opposition politics.
The Odinga family is currently the most influential family in Luo politics, even after Jaramogi Odinga's death in 1994.Raila Odinga, the second son of Jaramogi Odinga, is the prime minister of Kenya under the current grand coalition government.
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Kenya's Other Famous People from the Luo Tribe
Other well-known Luo people include the late Tom Mboya, the late Robert Ouko, Washington Jalang'o Okumu and James Orengo. The late father of Barack Obama, the current president of the United States of America, was from the Luo tribe.
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The Luo tribe has traditionally produced many scholars and other educated persons, including some who have graduated from very prestigious colleges around the world. As a result, Luo professionals are dominant in nearly every area of the Kenyan economy, business and government, serving as university professors, doctors, engineers and lawyers.
Luo Economic Activity & Food
For Luos living in rural areas, freshwater fishing in Lake Victoria is the most important economic activity. The fish are consumed locally while some, especially the Nile perch, are exported to Europe and other countries. Fish and ugali are the staple foods of the Luo tribe. Agriculture, especially sugarcane and cotton farming, is also practiced in other areas where Luos live.
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