Luo Traditions

[PrivatePractice]

Do you guys really still practice this? What is the meaning/history behind this? Does anyone know????

in Luo traditions, initiation involves the removal of six front teeth - three each from the upper and lower jaws.

The Luo Tribe of Kenya: Their History and Culture

[TikTok]

Originally Posted by PrivatePractice

Do you guys really still practice this? What is the meaning/history behind this? Does anyone know????




The Luo Tribe of Kenya: Their History and Culture

If my memory serves me right, this came about due to high levels of tetanus (lock jaw) at one time in their nomadic life. This was to allow a victim to be fed even when the jaws were locked. With the advent of medicine and a more mixed way of life (cattle keeping combined with farming lerned from the Bantu tribes and fishing) the practice just died off. The Kalenjin, and the Maasai took to it more of a novelty by removing 1-4 teeth depending on the clan/community. I hope you have noticed Moi did remove his teeth also.

Did I answer your question?

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by TikTok

If my memory serves me right, this came about due to high levels of tetanus (lock jaw) at one time in their nomadic life. This was to allow a victim to be fed even when the jaws were locked. With the advent of medicine and a more mixed way of life (cattle keeping combined with farming lerned from the Bantu tribes and fishing) the practice just died off. The Kalenjin, and the Maasai took to it more of a novelty by removing 1-4 teeth depending on the clan/community. I hope you have noticed Moi did remove his teeth also.

Did I answer your question?

Yes, you answered my question, thank you.
I figured there was something more too it.

But you also taught me that tetanus causes lock jaw, I had no idea. I just had my updated tetanus shot too for my trip to Kenya(not that you care)

Thanks again for the information

[PrivatePractice]

Oh and NO, I did not notice Moi's teeth are missing. I am about to dig for his picture now. I had no idea.

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by PrivatePractice

Oh and NO, I did not notice Moi's teeth are missing. I am about to dig for his picture now. I had no idea.

Moi has his mouth closed in most of his pictures.
This one it is open, but it only looks like one is missing or a small gap.




Found a better one: