Luo leaders and citizens from five countries throng in Migori for Piny Luo Festival

Youths take part in Luo traditional wrestling , an event which was held in Homa bay dubbed "Piny Luo Festival." The sport popularly known as 'Amen" has spread beyond traditional communities and is now regularly featured in major sporting events.[Collins Oduor, Standard]

Piny Luo Festival, an annual and major cultural event celebrating the unity, heritage and traditions of the Luo people from across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has kicked off in earnest in Migori County.

The official opening of the Piny Luo Festival, themed “Luo Unity in Diversity: Harmonizing and Institutionalizing Our Heritage,” was held on Monday and was graced by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga.

Siaya Governor James Orengo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga were among the dignitaries hosted by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko at the Piny Luo Cultural Festival.

Leaders who attended the festival included Rongo MP Paul Abuor, Nyatike MP Tom Odege, Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’, Luo Council of Elders Chairman Odungi Randa (Kenya), Omot Agwa (Ethiopia), Gideon Ochieng’ (South Sudan) and Msangia Ongati (Tanzania), Migori County Speaker Christopher Rusana, a host of MCAs, among others.

Hundreds of guests and Migori County residents thronged Rongo University grounds, where the launch of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival was held.

While some donned themselves in vitenges, others went fully into traditional regalia to signify Luo culture.

Day one of Piny Luo was filled with traditional music, poems, dances, choir performances and artistic displays.

Elders from the Nyanza region were given a platform to tell intergenerational stories of Luo origins and culture.

Outside the dome tent where the main event was taking place were smaller tents where both men and women displayed items that highlighted Luo culture.

These included art exhibitions, heritage displays, indigenous cuisines and herbal medicine expositions.

ODM party leader Oburu and Mzee Randa reminded the community of the importance of remaining united.

“I trust that the Luo nation will continue being united here in Kenya and beyond. Remaining united is what will help us as a people,” Dr. Oburu said.

He stressed the need for the Luo people to hold on to their culture, saying modernization should not make them forget who they are.

Moreover, Oburu told the Luo people to always cherish the Luo language if they truly called themselves Luos.

Oburu, who reminded the crowd of Luo history, said their language is what identifies them as Luos.

“You cannot enjoy Luo culture if you have not studied Dholuo. In the olden days, children were taught Luo from pre-school to Grade Three, after which the English language would be introduced,” he stated.

Oburu encouraged the Luo people to continue increasing in population in order to grow stronger.

He also reminded them to remain united in ODM and to register as voters.

“We want by all means to be in government because no party is formed to remain in the opposition forever,” Oburu remarked.

Leaders honoured the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the festival, saying they would continue mourning him.

Siaya Governor Orengo said he did not foresee Raila leaving them and that was why they were mourning and would continue mourning him.

“Raila was not the president of this country, but he has left a huge legacy which cannot be compared to anyone else’s,” Governor Orengo said.

He pointed out that the Luo people have always stood together in the spirit of nationalism but were often shortchanged.

Governor Orengo said the Luo people needed to stand by Raila’s legacy.

“He has left us a strong legacy. We should stand strong and never be cheated again,” Orengo said.

He told the Luo people that when negotiating, the other party must put its cards on the table so that negotiations can be done on fair terms.

Homa Bay Governor Wanga, who ululated to mourn Raila during her speech, said the Luo people needed to remain united, as that was the former Prime Minister’s final wish.

Migori Governor Ayacko told Luos, especially young people, to always be proud of their culture.

“Culture is so important to you. If you want to be Raila Odinga in the future, go back and learn Luo culture and that of other tribes,” Governor Ayacko said.

Luo Council of Elders Chairman Randa said Luo unity was key and should not end with the Piny Luo Festival.

“Luo people and leaders must remain united,” Mzee Randa said.

He announced that they would soon convene a meeting with the Luo community to discuss the direction they should take.