What is the religion of the luo?

Answer 1

The Luo mythology is complex. There is no a Luo "religion" per se because the Luo are a highly spiritual people. So they internalize their gods and goddess wherever they go or live, but they don't impose it on others. Considering that the Luo are hegemonic by nature, it's interesting that they wouldn't impose their spiritual worldview on the people they conquer. The Luo convert to other religious practices, but they still hold to their Luo-ness.

The Luo are a patriarchal people, but their gods are female. Nyasaye or Nyakaswiya (creator) is the ultimate Luo Goddess. The Luo also worship Pi, the Goddess of the Nile because the Luo people live along the Nile River, the world's longest water body. Among the Luo animism is prevalent. People have all sorts of ideas and fears relating to personal spiritual beings and impersonal spiritual forces. The Luo belief that their ancestors don't literally die, but rather they take on a different form when they die. It is important for a Luo person to be at peace with his or her ancestors to avoid evil befalling his or her family and clan. The Luo belief incorporates a highy sophisticated and highly evolved method of dealing with issues of peace and reconciliation, which is why the majority of Acholi people, a Luo sub-ethnic group, are willing to forgive Joseph Kony, the notorious rebel leader, who is himself a Luo.

Christianity and Islam have eroded many of the Luo belief system. These days over 80 per cent of Luo consider themselves Christians.

Answer 2

The Luo people, an ethnic group mainly located in Kenya and Tanzania, typically practice Christianity or Islam, with a smaller number practicing indigenous African beliefs. The introduction of Christianity came largely through missionary efforts in the 19th and 20th centuries, while Islam was brought to the region through trade and interactions with Arab traders.