User:Shania Ernest/Fishing tribe

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Luo Political Arena
The Kenyan Luo tribe is a subgroup of the larger Luo community that spans across Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Congo and Ethiopia. The luo tribe is the third largest community in Kenya and makes up close to 13% of the entire population. History suggests that the Luo travelled along the River Nile from Sudan. They made entry into Kenya around 500 years ago and established settlements in the lands surrounding Lake Victoria- Africa’s biggest fresh water lake. Their arrival took place in phases. The first groups to arrive were:
 * The Joka-jok who were closely followed by Jo-k'Owiny.
 * Jok’ Omolo came in third and the Luo Abasuba made the final arrival

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 teeth from the lower jaw. 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. 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 some other Kenyan tribes. The Luo community has been a key player in the Kenyan political scene since the pre-colonial times. Some of its favored sons in the pre-colonial and post-colonial period include.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
Being the first vice president of Kenya, he arguably was the biggest force in the Luo political landscape at the time. He was deemed to follow a communist approach and was an exact foil of the founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. His differences with the president later led him to pioneer the birth of opposition politics in Kenya. Interestingly, the Luo community still continues to stage opposition politics today. He died in 1994.

Tom Mboya
He was a trade unionist and active minister during the post-colonial period. His short political career saw him accomplish many feats. He not only had links with Obama [Senior], father to renowned U.S president, but also had an overwhelming support across the country. He was however assassinated in 1963.

Raila Odinga
Son to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, he is one of the current big wigs in the Kenyan political scene. Apart from being a prime minister of Kenya under the current grand coalition government, he was one of the core contenders for the presidential position in 2013 but lost the elections to current president Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenya's other famous People from the Luo Tribe
Other well-known Luo people include Washington Jalang'o Okumu, James Orengo, Obama [Senior] - the late father of Barack Obama, the current president of the United States of America, was from the Luo tribe. 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 and 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.

Where Luo people live today
Although many Luos are found in big cities and towns like Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nakuru where they live and work, majority are still concentrated in the rural areas and in:
 * Kisumu city and surrounding areas of Kisumu County
 * Bondo town and surrounding areas of Siaya County
 * the fishing towns along Homa Bay beach in Homa Bay County
 * the Southern Migori County