- The first chairman of Siaya Town Council, Elder John Oruenjo Umidha, will be buried on September 28 in his home
- The decision is based on his last wishes, which the elders of the Luo community in Siaya said respecting is culturally important and is seen as a way to keep traditions alive.
- Despite Luo culture allowing this funeral rite, netizens have expressed mixed feelings about the news, with many speculating
The family of the first chairman of the Town Council SiayaElder John Oruenjo Umidha, has revealed that he will be buried in his house.
Source: TikTok
This unusual practice corresponds to the culture of the Luo community from Alego Kakan. However, many people from that area abandoned the tradition.
In a video shared on TikTok and his son Koruenjo, gravediggers can be seen digging in preparation for the burial ceremony that will take place on Saturday, September 28.
“This is where we are going to bury our father, John Oruenjo. His last wish was to be buried in his home, and that is what is happening now,” he confirmed aloud in the video.
Luo elders in Siaya confirmed the funeral rites as normal and culturally acceptable, noting that respecting the last wishes of the deceased is important.
“We are doing something that has not been done for a long time. We are not building a house around Oruenjo's grave, but we are burying him in his house,” one of the village elders said in the report NTV.
Another elder commented that going to school does not make people forget cultural traditions.
“I know some of you say that if you have gone to school, forget the traditions. This is far from the truth; one thing that we must know is that we must know our roots, which makes us live a disciplined life,” he said.
Why should John Oruenjo be buried in his house?
They highlighted the need to establish such traditions to remain normal over time, and urged more people to embrace the culture.
According to Luo beliefs, those who have recently passed away still live among them.
“Those who have died recently are called the living dead. They eat and do everything with us, so if he is buried in the house we are in close contact with him,” the old man explained.
What netizens said about John Oruenjo's funeral
Many people are buried in cemeteries and not in their homes.
Therefore, the news that the former mayor of Siaya municipality would be buried in his home has surprised many, and raised speculation.
Beulah said:
“Mr Ibu was buried in his living room. Many landlords do that when their own relatives are greedy to prevent the house from being confiscated.”
Preparation of the Levites:
“When you die, the living make decisions. I can never agree to bury someone in a house.”
pk:
“Why is everyone surprised? This is common in rich families. There are those who even take newspapers and water to the graves.”
Wambui:
“What part is that room? If it is a living room, there will be little space left. It is good to fulfill his wishes. I pray RIP.”
Margaret Njenga:
“It's his home and his wishes. That land and that legacy will live on for a long time because they can't sell it.”
The Migori family shamed their daughter at her funeral
In different news reported by TUKO.co.ke, the family and relatives of the late Achieng' spoke publicly condemning the way he lived his life.
Videos of the funeral have gone viral on Tiktok and other social networks, raising questions about why his relatives demonized him in front of mourners.
Achieng allegedly abandoned her children after her husband died and returned to her parent's home, where she fell ill and passed away.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
