Meet the Luo

The Luo are the third largest ethnic group (13%) in Kenya. Their primary language is Dholuo. Following Kenya’s independence in 1963, the Luo and the Kikuyu inherited the bulk of political power. Today, the main Luo livelihood is fishing, and the Luo work as tenant fishermen, small scale farmers, and urban workers.

Early British contact with the Luo was indirect and sporadic. Relations intensified only when the completion of the Uganda Railway had confirmed British intentions and largely removed the need for local tribal alliances. In 1896 a punitive expedition was mounted in support of the Wanga ruler Mumia in Ugenya against the Umira Kager clan led by Gero. Over 200 were quickly killed by a Maxim gun. In 1899, C. W. Hobley led an expedition against Sakwa, Semeand Uyoma locations in which 2,500 cattle and about 10,000 sheep and goats were captured. In 1915 the Colonial Government sent Odera Akang'o, the ruoth of Gem, to Kampala, Uganda. He was impressed by the British settlement there and upon his return home he initiated a forced process of adopting western styles of "schooling, dress and hygiene". This resulted in the rapid education of the Luo in the English language and English ways. The Luo generally were not dispossessed of their land by the British, and many Luo played significant roles in the struggle for Kenyan independence; most using their education to advance the cause of independence peacefully.

The first major ritual in a Luo person's life is the naming ceremony. Any time between birth and age two, an ancestor might appear in a dream to an adult member of the family. The child is supposed to assume some of the mannerisms of the ancestor he or she is named after, and the ancestor becomes the individual's "guardian" throughout life. Customarily, children had their six lower front teeth removed at an initiation ceremony, but this ritual has largely fallen out of use.

Music was the most widely practiced art in the Luo community. The Luo music was shaped by the total way of life, lifestyles, and life patterns of individuals of this community. Because of that, the music had characteristics which distinguished it from the music of other communities. This can be seen, heard and felt in their melodies, rhythms, mode of presentation and dancing styles, movements and formations.

More than 1,000 people were killed in Kenya's election violence amongst the Kikuyu, Luo and several other ethnic groups following the controversial December 2007 presidential election.

Famous Luo include the president of the United States, Barack Obama and Kenya’s current prime minister, Raila Amolo Odinga.

Photo credit: Adverts East Africa