This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
As a Luo born and raised in Kenya, I've always been fascinated by the connection between my people and language. In our culture, the word 'polo' refers to the ordinary sky and the imaginary place above it that our religious priests promise as heaven.
But what's interesting is that the Luo have a unique perspective on language. For us, language is an activity of the mouth, and our mother tongue, Dholuo, literally translates as 'mouth of the Luo'. This connection between language and the mouth is rooted in our history and culture.
The Luo are a large inter-lacustrine Nilotic Eastern African community, and our language is closely tied to the Nile River, which flows through Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. We have a word for the lake that the English colonialists named Victoria, but it's not a direct reference to the lake itself. Instead, it's an adjective that describes its vast expanse.
Our language is also closely tied to the concept of the 'mouth' of a lake or ocean. In Dholuo, the word 'dhok' refers to any mouth or mouth-like structure, and the word 'dho' is the possessive form of 'dhok'. This connection between language and the mouth is a fundamental aspect of our culture and identity.
As I reflect on my own experiences growing up as a Luo, I realize that language has played a significant role in shaping my understanding of the world. I was born and raised among the Luo, and I first learned to speak our language and behave like a human being among them. While I've had the opportunity to interact with other ethnic communities in Kenya, I've always felt a deep connection to my Luo heritage and our unique perspective on language.
Mr. Ochieng is a veteran journalist.
