Luo Ritual, Magic, and Medicine
Learn about the traditional beliefs and rituals of Kenya's fourth largest ethnic group
CloakNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Luo
The Luo are the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya, and are settled around the Lake Victoria basin. Traditionally they believed in God the creator, Nyasaye, whom they worshiped in sacred places (hembko or hembho).
Takawiri IslandNational Museums of Kenya
The sacred shrines, trees, huge rocks, hills, and Lake Victoria were also associated with the supernatural.
Luo Diviner (1986) by Carol Beckwith & Angela FisherAfrican Ceremonies
Initiation
The Luo initiation was done by removing six front teeth from the lower jaw. The significance of this rite was to test courage and endurance of both men and women, and also to administer medicine in case of diseases such as lockjaw.
Luo Witchdoctor by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Witch doctors
Witch doctors or medicine men were also important in the Luo community, and they commonly used cobra bones for healing effects. The back bones of a cobra would be arranged in a chain, and sold by the witch doctor as medicine for a sick person.
MedicineNational Museums of Kenya
The pieces were sold one by one, burnt, and the ash was used to relieve pain. The area where one was experiencing pain would be cut with a blade and rubbed with this ash.
Cobra bones were also tied around the waist when traveling in the bush, for protection against being attacked by a cobra. The witch doctor would go into the bush to search for cobra bones, and if he could not find any he ordered the hunters to kill one and sell it to him.
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