What “Jowi, Jowi” means — and why Raila used it at funerals

On 12 February 2020, during the state burial of former President Daniel Arap Moi at Kabarak, Raila Odinga moved mourners when he broke into a Luo dirge, waved his fly whisk several times above Moi’s casket, and chanted repeatedly, “Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!”

The phrase “Jowi” is deeply rooted in Luo language and tradition. It refers to a buffalo, an animal that symbolizes strength, courage, and fearlessness.

In Luo culture, the buffalo represents someone whose presence is powerful and whose influence cannot be ignored.

Because of this, chanting “Jowi, Jowi” is reserved for highly respected people — leaders, elders, and heroes — individuals who led large lives and left strong legacies.

 It signals that the deceased was more than ordinary and that their departure is a loss felt by entire communities.

Raila’s performance at Moi’s burial was not spontaneous or mere theatrics. It followed traditional Luo funerary rituals.

One important element of that ritual is the fly whisk, called orengo in Luo.

It is a status symbol carried only by elders of certain standing and used during important ceremonies.

When one raises or waves the whisk during a funeral, it is a sign of mourning and a call for peace and dignity.

At Moi’s burial, Raila held his fly whisk aloft, moving it slowly over the casket before waving it six times in a deliberate gesture of honour.

The act signified deep respect in Luo custom. He also performed a Luo dirge — a mournful song in his mother tongue — that preceded the “Jowi” chant.

The lyrics implored mourners to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The “Jowi” ritual has deep historical roots in Luo society. Raila’s late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, used the same chant when mourning Mzee Jomo Kenyatta after his death in 1978.

According to Luo elders, the tradition has been preserved for generations and is widely understood as a high form of respect.

The chant is used only for great figures — political leaders, industrialists, or religious icons — people who left an imprint on their community.

 It is never used for children or for those who have not yet attained social status or proven leadership. The unwritten rules of the tradition consider age, service, and reputation as key.

Raila has often used “Jowi, Jowi” at funerals of prominent people to signal respect and connect the moment to tradition.

He uses it to show that the loss being mourned is one of national or cultural significance.

At Moi’s burial, Raila explained that he wanted to send the former president off “as a true African,” acknowledging both Christian and traditional customs.

By using the fly whisk and chanting “Jowi,” he connected the solemn state occasion to his own cultural heritage — a gesture that bridged Kenya’s ethnic and political divides.

In 2023, during the funeral service of former Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha, Raila once again invoked the “Jowi” chant.

Dressed in traditional attire and holding a whisk, shield, and spear, he tapped the casket before chanting “Jowi, Jowi” in a symbolic farewell. His gesture was widely interpreted as a mark of honour and a continuation of his father’s legacy.

The meaning behind “Jowi” extends beyond the literal. It carries multiple layers of cultural and emotional significance.

It is first and foremost a recognition of greatness. When “Jowi” is invoked, it declares that the person being mourned lived a large, influential life. It acknowledges leadership, courage, and sacrifice.

It is also a reminder of mortality. The dirge that precedes the chant reflects on the transience of life, reminding mourners that all people — regardless of their power or wealth — return to the same earth.

In that sense, “Jowi” is both a cry of honour and a moment of humility.

The chant also connects mourners to African identity. It bridges the modern and the traditional, showing that in moments of deep emotion, Kenyans still turn to indigenous customs to express grief.

It affirms that cultural practices remain an essential part of the country’s moral and social fabric.

When Raila Odinga chants “Jowi, Jowi” while waving his fly whisk, he is doing more than performing a ritual. He is summoning history, culture, and memory.

He is evoking the spirit of leadership and respect that transcends time and tribe. For many Kenyans, the chant has come to symbolize an African way of saying farewell — solemn, dignified, and deeply human.

“Jowi, Jowi” is therefore more than a word. It is a statement of identity, a sound of reverence, and a salute to greatness. When Raila utters it, he is not only mourning; he is honouring. He is saying, this life mattered — and must be remembered.