Tero Buru: The Luo mourning tradition observed in honour of Raila Odinga
Siaya County elders concluded their first culture of Tero Buru at the home of Raila Odinga as a sign of recognizing him as a hero and kingpin of the Luo community.
The event involved participants running and jumping while chasing cattle to the nearest river, singing war songs and blowing horns, and hitting imaginary spirits with clubs and spearing the spirits.
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Worth noting, Tero Buru is often preserved for men and is an old ritual conducted when an elderly man dies in the Luo community.
Likewise, Tero Buru has been in existence from time immemorial, and it forms part of the burial rituals when an elderly man dies in the Luo community.
During the Tero Buru ritual, young men carrying twigs run with herds of cattle from the homestead of the deceased, and part of the group beats drums in the process while blowing horns at the same time,” Kut said.
The participants dress in hides and traditional akala shoes made of old tires as they sing dirges that drive away spirits from the home of the deceased.
It also calls for men to bathe and dress in hides from goats that symbolize Luos and their cultures. The songs sung are also celebratory, honoring the person’s legacy, bravery, and contributions to society.
Also Watch: Siaya county assembly holds special sitting to mourn Raila Odinga
Who is celebrated under Tero Buru?
The ceremony is often done to recognize the significant people who have fought for the Luo Community, whether politically, socially, or economically, as well as the people who have brought pride to the society.
According to the Luo traditions, socially, the person must be someone who understands the spiritual world of the Luo.
Likewise, he should also be familiar with the tribute, traditions, dos and don’ts, which make him a leader who should be remembered in terms of Tero Buru.
During the Piny Luo Event that was celebrated in Siaya, Tero Butu master Nicholas Kut Ochogo presided over the event, though this time cows were hired at Ksh3000 each, and 20 of them participated in the event.
However, the cows that participate in the cultural event are often volunteered by the community. Similar recognition is given to herbalists who cured the sick. As it is believed that the idea of the herbs used was revealed to them by the spiritual world.
Notably, during the burial of Ongondo Were, the convoy procession that kicked off from Kisumu at that time was slowed by men who were doing tero butu, hence explaining the importance of the ceremony.
Similar treatment was accorded to the late Francis Ogola, a son of East Alego, Alego Usonga Sub-County, where elders mobilized themselves and performed the culture at their home in Southeast Alego after his home was cordoned off.
In addition, the culture was also performed during the burial of former ODM chair of Alego/Usonga, John Orwenjo Umidha, and former Education Minister Peter Oloo Aringo.
Although the culture is not known to Gen Zs and Luos who reside in the cities, this calls for its revival.
