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#HistoryKeThread: In 1923, Capt. R.L. Stanley wrote the following about the Kavirondo (Luo): 
“The Wa-Kavirondo with its many branches is a populous tribe and inhabited a large territory roughly to the north and south of the Kavirondo Gulf inthe Victoria Nyanza, the area to the north extending to the slopes of Mount Elgon and to the south to what was the German border.
The tribe is remarkable for the fact that men and women do not wear clothing; adopting the nude totally, except in centres like Kisumu where the merest apology for dress is adopted in the form of a loincloth made from americani (cotton cloth).
As this hangs loosely over the body front, the smallest breeze or movement readily displaces it. It is on record that a certain English lady was so shocked on seeing this people in the nude that she purchased large quantities...
... of americani for distribution to at least partially hide their nudity.
The gift was readily accepted but failed in the object for which bestowed and its use was soon discarded.
On the other hand this nude tribe, or such of its members who enter domestic or other service, which demands that dress must be worn, exhibit a marked tendency to dress in the latest obtainable patterns of European outfit.
Chiefs and those who have imbibed any smattering of education through mission sources, when going afar, are sometimes attired in the latest European cut and style....”
He wrote on: “The Luo or Nilotic Kavirondo bury their dead within their huts in shallow graves. An unmarried person is buried under the eaves of the mother's hut....
....the husband is buried inside his principal wife's hut, and should she have predeceased him, then is buried inside the eating hut.
Each wife is buried in her own hut. The huts continue to be occupied until the kraal is abandoned; they are not pulled down but allowed to fall into decay. Mourners arrive in relays for a month, during which each relay stamps the earth on the grav,e and a feast is held...
... during the whole period.
The women and children do not cut their hair for three months, after which they shave their heads.
Another big dance is then held, more earth stamped on the grave and then the heir succeeds to the property.
The women and children do not cut their hair for three months, after which they shave their heads.
Another big dance is then held, more earth stamped on the grave and then the heir succeeds to the property.
There is a belief that the shadow of the deceased inhabits certain trees but belief in hereafter is very vague.
Figures for births and deaths are not obtainable, but it is known that the infant mortality is high. There are considerably more girls than boys....
Figures for births and deaths are not obtainable, but it is known that the infant mortality is high. There are considerably more girls than boys....
...Abortion methods are known and applied. A plant called ‘ohoho’ is eaten to bring on abortion.
There are not many deaths in childbirth. Children are as a rule fed by the breast for over a year, after which they are fed with cow's milk.
There are not many deaths in childbirth. Children are as a rule fed by the breast for over a year, after which they are fed with cow's milk.
After childbirth the mother is up and about again on the fourth day. ...”
