We are the Obama tribe….the Lupita Nyongo tribe…the great Gor Mahia fun…the die-hard supporters of Baba aka Raila Odinga!
Try searching Luo (Luopean) on the internet. Apart from the basic information about them being Nilots, one of the forty two ethnic groups and the third largest community in Kenya and that they live in lands surrounding Lake Victoria- Africa’s biggest fresh water lake, you will be mesmerized with the results that will pop up on your screen!
“Luo is not a tribe, it is a software!”
Being Luo has always been associated with the love for the finer things in life. They love big things and quite embrace the phrase You Only Live Once! Often, they are termed as being boisterous, proud and exhibitionistic. As a Luo, you will always be associated with being materialistic and showy even if you are not. The narrative goes that a Luo would rather secure a bank loan to purchase a comfortable couch even if such a move would interfere with the kitchen budget. Another common statement goes that a Luo would rather sit comfortably on an expensive sofa set, even on an empty stomach, rather than have plenty of food but sitting on a mat on the floor or a wooden stool!
He/She would rather go broke but own a branded t-shirt bearing writings such as”Luo inside” or”proud to be Luo”
In politics, We best know them for supporting or being loyal to the political family of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga whose son, Raila Odinga, has been known as the center of gravity in Kenyan politics for the longest time ever. In football, we have lived to know them for their patriotic and energetic support towards Gor Mahia Football Club named after the legendary Luo fighter, Gor Mahia.
Commonly, Luos are viewed as the most learned intelligent, smart and civilized people in Kenya…haaha! Actually, “Luos don’t fail in exams; they just differ with the examiner”
I certainly admire this tribe for their energy; they can literally fit in anywhere and create their own micro-community. They have very high spirits and can turn anything into fun, not once have I met someone from this community who is so serious, they practically create jokes out of serious situations! Starting from my own best friend who can turn a life and death matter into a sick joke in seconds…anyway life is too short to take it too serious!!
We have commonly associated any Luo to stone throwing, even small playful children…but they will create a joke out of it and say
“ Luos don’t throw stones; They just distribute natural resources vertically”.
A luo who has not yet been blessed with a tile roofed house will simply say
“They live in Aluminium Apartments”.
A Luo will never accept defeat. In fact, “they don’t lose, they postpone victory”.
My Luo friends say, “They do not attend events, their arrival is the event”.
And when my best friend from Luo land is angry, she “does not shout,…she simply talks in Upper case”.
What happens when a woman makes a Luo man
angry? He will be a real gentleman, he will not even try to slap you no,
he will caress your cheeks at an accelerating speed. Don’t joke!!!
I guess by now you understand why being Luo is a lifestyle…
This is not some sort of stereotyping;
being a Kenyan Luo is not easy…well the world just has its own high
expectations from you. We love you so much irrespective and personally I
am proud to be your neighbor at the lakeside
Aside from all the associations that come
up with the mention of a Luo people, I feel so proud when I look beyond
and see a community that is proud of their culture and heritage. One
that feels so confident in there own skin to an extent they have created
there own unique identity!
