Key Luo Cultural Rituals Planned Ahead of Raila's Burial in Bondo
One of the most important rituals is 'Tero Buru', a ceremony performed to cleanse the homestead of the evil spirit of death...
✨ Key Highlights
Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader, will be laid to rest in Bondo, Siaya County, with a combination of Anglican Church traditions and significant Luo cultural rituals. These traditional ceremonies honour his passage to the ancestral world and involve a series of steps to respect Luo customs.
- The traditional rites begin with Tero Ywak (death announcement), followed by body preparations and arita (night vigils) with fires lit outside the house (magenga).
- The burial involves grave digging on the right side of the main house for men and is led by a senior elder or clan leader.
- Post-burial rituals include Tero Buru to cleanse the homestead and a liedo (shaving ceremony) usually four days later, followed by succession rites and grave maintenance.
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Court Dismisses Petition to Stop Raila Odinga's Burial - October 2025
A Kenyan court has rejected and dismissed a petition that aimed to halt the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The burial is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025. The petitioner had argued that a quick burial violated Luo customs and traditions for a leader of his stature. Raila will be laid to rest in Bondo, Siaya County. His burial is planned to combine Anglican Church traditions with significant Luo cultural rituals to honour his passage to the ancestral world.
