Otunnu honours Kenya's Raila Odinga with Bwola dance troupe

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Following the death of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, ambassador Olara Otunnu, a Ugandan politician, diplomat, and lawyer, over the weekend contracted a dance troupe from Gulu to perform the traditional bwola dance at Odinga's funeral in Bondo, Siaya County in Kenya.

Aged 80, Odinga, Kenya's opposition leader, died of a heart attack in India seven days ago.

On Monday, October 20, a day after the burial, Otunnu and his entourage of over 30 people staged a colourful Bwola dance by the graveside, at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi, his family's home in Bondo.

The group were joined by their host, Raila’s brother Oburu Oginga and huge crowds who sang and danced to the drum beats, the sound of the xylophone, plus the ankle bells.

Bwola is an emotionally moving dance. The Bwola dance is a traditional dance performed by the Acholi people of the Luo community in northern Uganda.

The Bwola dance is often performed at weddings, funerals, and other important cultural events, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Acholi people. At funerals, different performers lead songs praising the deceased and the bereaved family.

A video widely circulated, Otunnu, while addressing mourners, said that they mobilised the bwola dancers from central Luo, in Northern Uganda, to honour and celebrate the late Raila Odinga, whom he described as: a father, a brother, a leader, among other responsibilities.

“We have come with a bwola dance, the male dancers are wearing Ostrich feathers on their heads to celebrate the life of a hero. It is a sign to escort him to another world and say farewell. Since the Prime Minister was our hero, we thought it fitting that a bwola dance be performed to celebrate his life,” Otunnu said. The female dancers of the troupe donned white shirts and long skirts made out of Ugandan kikoyi fabric.

Otunnu and a smaller group from Acholi had attended the State Funeral at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on Sunday.

“We are here for a special delegation, from Northern Uganda; the Acholi community, they have brought dancers who only dance for funerals, when escorting their heroes, they are led here by our brother, friend Prof. Olara Otunnu, who has been very close to my brother Raila,” said Senator Oburu, as he welcomed Otunnu and his team.

He explained that about two years ago, during the Jaramogi anniversary celebrations in Kisumu, Otunu lectured the gathering on the importance of culture.

Last year, Otunnu again joined Raila during the Luo forum in Siyaya and again gave a long lecture about the importance of our culture.

Oburu added that based on that long-term relation, Otunnu felt the need to honour him and came in person.