Luo (also called Jo-Luo; formerly Nilotic Kavirondo) are a people (tribe) living in flat country (Luoland) near Lake Victoria, mostly in western Kenya (the “Kenya Luo”), but also in eastern Uganda and northern Tanzania. They are the most populous group of Nilotes and constitute the third largest ethnic group (11%) in Kenya, after the Kikuyu (21%), with whom they shared major political power in the first years of Kenyan independence (from 1963) and the Luhya (14%). Formerly pastoralists, they are now settled agriculturists who also keep many cattle. Outside Luoland, the Luo are now found throughout eastern Africa as agricultural laborers, tenant farmers & urban workers. They speak the Dholuo language, which belongs to the Western Nilotic branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family spoken by other Lwo-speaking (Western Nilotic) people such as Lango, Acholi and Jopadhola and Alur of Uganda. Lake Victoria or Victoria Nyanza (also known as Ukerewe and Nalubaale) is one of the Great Lakes of Africa. ... The KÄ©kÅ©yÅ© (otherwise spelled GÄ©kÅ©yÅ©) ethnic group is Kenyas most populous ethnic group. ... The Luhya (also Luyia, Luhia) are a Bantu people residing in Western Province, Kenya between Lake Victoria, Uganda and Mount Elgon. ... Pastoralists are people whose main source of livelihood is livestock with which they move seasonally in search of fresh pasture and water. ... Dholuo (also known as Luo) is a Western Nilotic language spoken by the Luo people of Kenya and Tanzania, numbering about 3 million. ... The Western Nilotic languages are one of the three primary branches of the Nilotic languages, themselves belonging to the Eastern Sudanic subfamily of Nilo-Saharan. ... Map showing the distribution of the Nilo-Saharan languages. ... The Lwo (also Lwoo or Luo) are a family of linguistically-related ethnic groups (tribes) which live in an area that stretches from the south of Sudan, through Northern Uganda and Eastern Congo (DRC), into Western Kenya, and ending in the upper tip of Tanzania. ... The Western Nilotic languages are one of the three primary branches of the Nilotic languages, themselves belonging to the Eastern Sudanic subfamily of Nilo-Saharan. ... The Lango (plural Langi) people live in the central area of Uganda, north of Lake Kyoga. ... Acholiland, Uganda Acholi (also Acoli) are the people of the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, a region known as Acholiland in northern Uganda and in Magwe County in southern Sudan numbering about thirty to fifty thousand people. ... The Jopadhola, or Badama, are an ethnic group of approximately one-quarter of a million people, who live in the Tororo district of southeastern Uganda (about 2 percent of the countrys total population). ... Alur (Lur, Luri, Lurem), are a people of the Nile Valley in Africa, living on the north-west coast of Albert Nyanza. ...

Pre-Colonial Times

The Luo probably originated in Southern Sudan, at Wau, near the confluence of the Meride & Sue Rivers. The Kenya Luo migrated into present day western Kenya via present day eastern Uganda, the first wave arriving sometime around 1500 AD. Arrivals came in at least five waves arriving at different times rather than as a single discrete migration: (1) the Joka-Jok (who migrated from Acholiland; the first & largest migration); (2) Those migrating from Alur; (3) the Owiny (who migrated from Padhola); (4) the Jok’Omolo (perhaps from Pawir); and (5) The Abasuba (a heterogeneous group in southern Nyanza, with Bantu elements). The present day Kenya Luo traditionally consist of 12 sub-tribes (each in turn composed of various clans & sub-clans): (1) Jo-Gem, (2) Jo-Ugenya, (3) Jo-Seme, (4) Jo-Kajulu, (5) Jo-Karachuonyo, (6) Jo-Nyakach, (7) Jo-Kabundo, (8) Jo-Kisumo (Jo-Kisumu), (9) Jo-Kano, (10) Jo-Asembo, (11) Jo-Uyoma, (12) Jo-Sakwa. ( “Jo-” indicates “people of…”.) Wau is a town in Papua New Guinea, in the province of Morobe. ... Sue may refer to: Look up sue on Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Categories: Stub | Uganda ... Alur (Lur, Luri, Lurem), are a people of the Nile Valley in Africa, living on the north-west coast of Albert Nyanza. ... Nyanza may refer to: Nyanza, Rwanda Nyanza Province, Kenya Formerly, some lakes in Africa included the Bantu word for lake, e. ... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (dull yellow) vs. ...

Colonial times

By the 1840's, the Luo had a tight-knit society with ruoths or regional chiefs. 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 style of "schooling, dress and hygiene". This resulted in the rapid education of the Luo in the English language and ways. The Luo also played a significant role in the fight for Kenyan independence. 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... British East Africa was a British protectorate in East Africa, covering generally the area of present-day Kenya and lasting from 1890 to 1920, when it became the colony of Kenya. ... Kampala Skyline Location of Kampala within Uganda. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

In independent Kenya

Oginga Odinga, a prominent Luo leader, became the first Vice President of independent Kenya. However, differences with Jomo Kenyatta led Oginga to leave the government and the ruling KANU party in 1966. With Oginga's departure from the government the Luo were politically marginalized under the administrations of Kenyatta and Moi. Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga (b. ... Jomo Kenyatta Jomo Kenyatta (October 20, 1892 ?– August 22, 1978) was an African politician, the first Prime Minister (1963–1964) and President (1964–1978) of an independent Kenya. ... There are three meanings for Kanu: KANU - the Kenya African National Union Kanu, Nwankwo - Nigerian footballer KANU FM 91. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...

Many years of poor economic management of Kenya, especially during the administration of the KANU party resulted in the Luo and a majority of Kenyans being systematically neglected. Ravaged by AIDS and with little or no infrastructure in most parts, the Luo areas - with high economic potential due to the proximity to Lake Victoria - remains poor and undeveloped. These factors being common in Kenya according the latest survey by the World Bank. http://www.worldbank.org/research/povertymaps/kenya/volume_index.htm There are three meanings for Kanu: KANU - the Kenya African National Union Kanu, Nwankwo - Nigerian footballer KANU FM 91. ... The Red ribbon is a symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections in humans resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by infection with... Lake Victoria or Victoria Nyanza (also known as Ukerewe and Nalubaale) is one of the Great Lakes of Africa. ...

The most prominent Luo politician today is Raila Odinga, the son of Oginga Odinga and former Minister of Roads and Public Works. He is widely credited with enabling Mwai Kibaki to win the last presidential election through the support of his Liberal Democratic Party. Raila Odinga Raila Amollo Odinga is a Kenyan politician, and was, until November 23, 2005 a Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Roads, Public Works and Housing. ... Mwai Kibaki (born November 15, 1931) is Kenyas third president, an economist, and a political leader. ... The Liberal Democratic Party is a liberal political party in Kenya. ...

Prominent Luos

Barack Obama - an African-American Senator in the United States - traces his lineage through his father to the Luo. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. ...

Customs

The Luo believe in the afterlife. They conduct their lives in symbiosis with the cosmic demads of eternity. Luos are ancestor worshippers. The first major ritual in a Luo person's life is called juogi naming ceremony. Any time between birth and age 2, an ancestor would appear in a dream to an adult member of the family. It is generally believed that only people who did good things while alive appear in dreams this way, and are thus "reincarnated". It is generally believed that the child assumes some of the mannerisms of the ancestor he or she is named after. If the ancestor was quiet, the child becomes a quiet person in life, if talkative, same. The so named ancestor becomes the indivduals' "guardian angel" throughout his or her life. Evil people are rarely named. It is believed they go for good (to hell).

The Luo are one of few ethnic groups in East Africa that do not practice ritual circumcision of males as initiation. Traditionally, children had their six front teeth knocked out at initiation. This ritual is rare these days. A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of sex A ritual may be performed at regular intervals, or on specific occasions, or at the discretion of individuals or communities. ... It has been suggested that Circumcision advocacy be merged into this article or section. ... Coming from the Latin, initiation implies a beginning. ... Coming from the Latin, initiation implies a beginning. ... A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of sex A ritual may be performed at regular intervals, or on specific occasions, or at the discretion of individuals or communities. ...

Luo Religion

The Luo traditionally believed in a supreme creator, whom they called Nyasi (Nyasaye), and had a strong ancestor cult. Today most Kenya Luo are Christians. This article is about the religous people known as Christians. ...

Traditional and contemporary Luo music

Traditionally, music was the most widely practiced art in the Luo community. At any time of the day or night, some music was being made. Music was not made for its own sake. Music was functional. It was used for ceremonial, religious, political or incidental purposes. Music was performed during funerals (Tero buru) to praise the departed, to console the bereaved, keep people awake at night, express pain and agony and during cleansing and chasing away of spirits .Music was also played during ceremonies like beer parties (Dudu, ohangla dance), welcoming back the warriors from a war, during a wrestling match (Ramogi), during courtship, etc .Work songs too existed. These were performed both during communal work like building, weeding, etc. and individual work like pounding of cereals, winnowing. Music was also used for ritual' purposes like chasing away of evil spirits(nyawawa), who visit the village at night, in rain making and during divinations and healing.

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.

The melodies in the Luo music were lyrical, with a lot of vocal ornamentations. These ornaments came out clearly especially when the music carried out an important message. Their rhythms were characterized by a lot of syncopation and acrusic beginning. These songs were usually presented in solo-response style through solo performances were there too. The most common forms of solo performances were chants. These chants were recitatives with irregular rhythms and phrases which carried serious messages in them. Most of the Luo dances were introduced by these chants. For example the dudu dance.

Another unique characteristic in the Luo music is the introduction of yet another chant at the middle of a musical performance. The singing stops, the pitch of the musical instruments go down and the dance becomes less vigorous as an individual takes up the performance is self praise. This is referred to as Pakruok. There was also a unique kind of ululation -Sigalagala that marked the climax of the musical performance

The dance styles in the Luo folk music were elegant and graceful. It involved either the movement of one leg in the opposite direction with the waist in step with the syncopated beats of the music or the shaking of the shoulders vigorous usually to the tune of the Nyatiti an eight stringed instrument.

Adamson (1967) commented that Luos clad in their traditional costumes and ornaments deserve their reputation as the most picturesque people in Kenya. During most of their performances the Luo wore costumes and decorated themselves not only to appear beautiful but also to enhance their movements. These costumes included sisal skirts (owalo), beads (Ombulu / tigo) worn around the neck and waist and red or white clay were used by the ladies. The men's costumes included kuodi or chieno a skin warn from the shoulders or from the waist respectively to cover their nakedness. Ligisa the headgear, shield and spear, reed hats, clubs among others. All these costumes and ornaments were made from locally available materials.

The luo were also rich in musical instuments which ranged from, purcussion (drums, clappers, metal rings-ongeng'o, shakers), string (Lyre-nyatiti, fiddle-orutu), wind (tung'-horn,Asili-flute, Abu-!Trumpet)

Currently the Luo are associated with the benga style of music. It is a lively style in which songs in Dholuo,Swahili, English are sung to a lively guitar riff. It originated in the 1950s with Luo musicians trying to adapt their traditional tribal dance rhythms to western instruments. The guitar (acoustic, later electric) replaced the nyatiti as the string instrument. Benga has become so popular that it is played by musicians of all tribes and is no longer considered a purely Luo style. It has become Kenyas characteristic pop sound. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Luo singer and nyatiti player Ayub Ogada received widespread exposure in 2005 when two of his songs were featured in Alberto Iglesias' Academy Award-nominated score for Fernando Mereilles' film adaptation of The Constant Gardener. Ayub Ogada is a musician from Kenya. ... The Constant Gardener is a 2001 novel by John le Carré. It tells the story of Justin Quayle, a British diplomat who finds his wife (Tessa) murdered and possibly was cheating on him, and seeks to uncover the truth behind her death. ...

Also see Luo Section of Folk Music of Kenya Out of all the African countries, Kenya has perhaps the most diverse assortment of popular music forms, in addition to multiple types of folk music. ...

References

• Ogot, Bethwell A., "History of the Southern Luo: Volume I, Migration and Settlement, 1500-1900", (Series: Peoples of East Africa), East African Publishing House, Nairobi, 1967
• Senogazake, George, "Folk Music of Kenya"