I ton Luo tradition, a burial would not be complete without rites to honor the deceased and ward off ghosts. One such ceremony is Tero Buru.
Is one of the Luo customs that is carried out before the body of the deceased is transferred to the grave for burial at the funeral of an elderly person or notable member of the community.
Elders and chosen young people bring a herd of cattle to the deceased person’s house for the ceremony, at which point the animals are driven erratically all around the house.
The ritual’s participants frequently don sisal hats and traditional war garb, like as skins.
Along with donning the renowned akala (tyre) sandals, they also carry twigs.
While singing dirges and chanting war songs, the mourners run around the deceased’s farm while some hold the horns of the animals that have already charged.
The dwelling is continuously covered in what is known as “buru” in Dholuo.
When a body has been left in the deceased person’s home, one or two bulls are rammed inside to frighten any ghosts away.
Why livestock ritual at the funeral for Magoha was prohibited by Luo elders on Friday, February 10, 2023
On February 9, a funeral liturgy will be held in Nairobi’s Consalata Church for former secretary of state for education, Prof. George Magoha. The Tero Buru ritual won’t be performed during his funeral, according to Gem elders. Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group is the photographer.
In Luo tradition, a burial would not be complete without rites to honor the deceased and ward off ghosts. One such ceremony is Tero Buru.
Before the body of the deceased is transferred to the grave for burial, it is one of the Luo customs that is carried out at the funeral of an elderly person or notable member of the community.
The family has decided to organize a Christian send-off for their relative, according to Bishop Martin Arara, coordinator of the Gem Council of Elders.
Bishop Arara stated, “While this is a Christian family, and since such traditional rites are often fronted by the family, they have not done so, we will not be doing Tero Buru.
Additionally, he said that because the wife is a foreigner, they will avoid any Luo customs that might embarrass her or other mourners.
Additionally, he noted that some of the customs were steadily losing their relevance and that few people were interested in continuing them at funerals.
