By reporter
The Luo Council of Elders has called on Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori counties to build cultural centres across Luo land, a significant step towards preserving and promoting the community’s rich heritage and traditions.
These centres will serve as crucial spaces for educating future generations about Luo customs, language, art, and history, ensuring that their cultural identity is maintained and celebrated despite modern influences.
According to Deputy Ker Luo, James Ayaga, these centres will perform several key functions as determined by the Elders’ Council.
“We want cultural education centres offering programmes and workshops on Luo history, music, dance, crafts, and oral traditions,” Ayaga said.
He added that the centres would provide a platform for Luo artists to showcase their works and preserve traditional art forms.
“We envisage promoting the use of the Luo language through language classes, storytelling sessions, and literature,” Ayaga stated.
Ayaga was speaking at West Uyoma Ward, where he hosted Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili to plan the Piny Luo Cultural Festival, scheduled for the end of this year at the Got Ramogi Cultural Shrine in Siaya County.
The elders noted that these centres would also facilitate tourism and cultural exchange programmes.
Ayaga explained that they aim for the centres to become destinations for tourists interested in learning about the Luo culture while fostering cultural exchanges with other communities.
Owili agreed, stating that by centralising efforts in each county, these cultural centres could promote a deeper sense of pride and unity within the Luo community while also contributing to the broader national cultural landscape.
The project, he added, would create opportunities for local employment and foster collaboration with cultural institutions and educational bodies.
Owili said, “We are organising, and plans are at an advanced stage, to host the Piny Luo Cultural Festival at the end of this year.”
All Luos from East Africa are invited to the event, which will also be attended by governors, MPs, senators, and MCAs. The festival, to be graced by cultural patron Raila Odinga, will run for three days from 30 December 2024 to 1 January 2025.
