The Luo History (in Photos)

A group of Luo women in a line before the camera, with a large number also gathered as a crowd behind them. They are wearingmerous body ornaments, such as metal leg rings, anklets and armlets (minyonge), beadnecklaces (tik ng'ut), waist beads (tik nungo)and cowrie shell (gaagi) necklaces. They also wear different kinds of aprons (olemo). Onewoman (3rd from right) seems to have an ostrich egg shell waist bead (rek). Small woven baskets for daily use are carried together with walking sticks and the hair styles also vary. The women are named in the original notes as of 'Sani tribe' near Kisumu, which may be Seme clan. Seme is in Kisumu County.

By the close of the 19th century, European cloth and other foreign items had reached Luoland through trade. However, many Luo people at first did not admire them and few people could afford them. Imported cowry shells and glass beads from West Africa however were already being incorporated into Luo personal objects. These photographs offer a glimpse of a period when this shift in cultural influence through trade was gradually taking effect. Many ornaments were still made of local natural products including animal and wood products. They ranged from headdresses
and necklaces to armlets and other items such as leather aprons ( pien nyadiel ), waist aprons ( olemo/chieno ), cowry shell belts ( okanda gaagi ), bead necklaces ( tik ng’ut ), hippo tusks ( lak rao ) armlets and wrist bangles ( minyonge ). Many of these objects can be observed in these photographs.

Luo men and women 1900s

Luo girls in Nyakach the year is, 1902

Young Luo women from Gem, Ugenya, Seme and Kano wearing traditional ornaments.
Charles W. Hobley, about 1900

Luo young men with a Luo elder in traditional dress Charles W. Hobley, about 1900

Luo chief and warriors photo taken in 1900s

Luo man in 1900s

Adopted From KRAZYINSIDEKENYA