In this book, Saturnino Onyala describes the social values and social relationships of the Northern Luo of South Sudan. This is a culture and history that has not been studied in depth in the past -- there are very few written texts on the subject. Consequently, this is a must read for anthropologists, historians, sociologists, social workers and philosophers who are interested in the lives of the Northern Luo as well as for the Luo people themselves, who have been dispersed across the globe following years of war, persecution and forced migration. The materials are based on both face-to-face discussions with elders from various groups of the nine clans of the Northern Luo. Secondly, the materials in this book are also based on anthropological studies in the then Sudan, with the author's additional description and analysis of the history, traditions and culture. Onyala begins this work by tracing the social values and practice of social relations of the Northern Luo as from the ancient Kingdom of Kush; he also reveals on how the Luo have exerted considerable influence on the Greeks. Onyala reveals that the alphabet that most writers claim was developed by the Egyptian in reality was originally created as set of letters from the Luo people, when they were in the Kush Kingdom, a part of Egypt at that time. The book describes how the nine clans of the Northern Luo of South Sudan are related and how they later on separated from each other; the book goes further to describe the geography and demography of each of the Northern Luo clans and where they are today. The book examines the Luo's search for new settlements, including the challenges they faced as they marched through occupied lands in search of a new place to call home. The book reveals that Acholi clan (which is part of the Northern Luo) are the founders of Freedom and Democracy in South Sudan, a fact hardly spoken of today, due to the marginalisation of the Acholi in particular and the marginalisation of the Northern Luo in general within South Sudan. The book offers an opportunity for the men and women, boys and girls of the Northern Luo to understand the blood relationship that exists among them and appreciate the importance of reunification of the Luo groups by building a community of shared culture, beliefs and destiny. The book describes details of traditional Northern Luo cultures and their societies that include kinship, arts, hand crafts, music, economy and livelihoods, marriages, and many other aspects. Saturnino Onyala wants to pass this rich knowledge of cultural values and social relationships of

The Luo are a unique being. Its history is akin to the Israelites and the Old testament, complete with miracles like those of Nengo Jamwa, the heroes like Lwanda Magere whose power was in his shadow, and Gor Mahia, among others. The Luo migration is traceable to Egypt, with some of the Pharaos believed to have had a luo origin. Later, the history is documented clearer from Sudan, from where they migrate to the rest of Eastern (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), Central Africa (DRC and Togo) and Western Africa (Ghana and Nigeria). They found the Babito Dynasty, replacing the then unique only dynasty in Bunyoro Kitara. Mpunga Rukidi's twin brother later founds Baganda kingdom. The Luo are a culturally strong Nilotic people wo whom a home means a home and nothing less. Even though some of them have long left the right of passage of removal of six lower teeth, it still has a lot of cultural relevance. Other cultural practises described in this book include wife inheritance, choice of leadership, among others. It is a unique nation which has produced some of the most eloquesnt and einfluential leaders such as Barrack Obama and Raila Odinga, both from Kenya. other leaders of Luo Origin are the late Garang and Milton Obote. History has it that Ruoth of Alego ascended to the kingship throne after cheating hie elder brother, ogelo at a shaving ceremony marking the end of the mandatory 3 / 4 days of mourning of one of their parents. When Ogelo was already seated ready to be shaved as the eldest son, he was called by the women who seemingly were squabbling over something. As a responsible elder, Ogelo obliged. Unknown to him, his younger brother had a secret plan to dethrown him from the mantle of leadership. On coming back, Ogelo found Ruoth already being shaved. This got him angry, and he left in a huff, even migrating to south Nyanza. However, it is said that Ogelo, like the case of Cain and Abel, was promised that whereas Ruoth had taken the home mantle from him, his position as the eldest son was secure, for he would have bigger positions than those ever to be taken by Ruoth. It is this that the presidency of Barrack Obama as the president of the United states, notably the strongest country on earth, was foretold. That Obama became president is therefore not a surprise to the Luo. Yet this is just one of the miracles foretold by the foreseers; there are many more promises yet to be fulfilled up the sleeves of the Luo . So to the world, . Watch this space.

This is the sixth title in a series of titles focussing on the oral literary tradition of various East African ethnic groups - the Maasai, the Embu and the Mbeere amongst others - published by EAEP. Okumba Miruka, particularly known for his contribution to oral literature in Kenya, sets out to contexualise his subject by first explaining about the Luo people and culture - from migratory patterns and economic activity to the concept of divinity, death, warfare and Luo cuisine and eating culture. He then approaches the oral literature of the Luo through the genres of riddles, proverbs, poetry and narratives. For each genre, he offers a general introduction, notes on style, convention, performance and social function, and a wide range of samples, or 'primary texts' with commentaries.