Luo is a Romantic Language…

In my short or long stay on this earth I have had the privilege of interacting with many of the languages spoken in Kenya and one dialect I would say has stood out and I have come to love is the Luo dialect.

The dialect according to me is very romantic; it should actually be classified among the others of the world which are regarded as romantic. The way their words flow, as they speak, one has no option but to enjoy listening.

This is a language, firstly the words rhyme so well with English language; secondly a word can be used in so many instances until one gets confused. Take for example the now common words ‘Gini Wesikawo” when these words were spoken by supporters of one team who were shouting to the supporters of the opposing team, even before a football match was over that they have taken the trophy the same words have now evolved or transformed until they are featuring in adverts as a way of bidding us goodbye.

Then there was the music duo Gidi Gidi and Maji Maji  who came up with words like Bwogo (threaten), malo (up) and as usual Kenyans, we started using the words and especially when informing someone that you are not easily scared for example you would often hear people say “you cannot bwogo me” in Luo a belle (beautiful woman) is called Jaber. I would not be surprised to hear “Jaber, gini wesekawo” as an opening line.

Luo’s are able to compose a song about anything and then make it sound lovely and pleasant to the ear. One time a Luo woman composed a song in seconds, for kids which was sang during a parent’s day somewhere in Northern Kenya. Thank God the majority of the parents did not understand the song although they seemed to enjoy listening and watching their children dance to the song. It went something like this,

chodhore, chodhore, omena chodhore, gorogoro chodhore x 2

omena chodhore, gorogoro chodhore x 2

Meaning omena fish is very cheap and gorogoro is 2kg tin.  Which means a 2kg tin of omena fish is sold cheaply.

Now picture kids singing that song and dancing to it. Now try singing the same song in your mother tongue. If you cannot you then have to accept that Luo dialect is very romantic…

I love the Luo dialect.

Koro ing'eyo! Now you know!…