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NIANG' LOTH, WHO IS THIS GUY?

 If you have been listening to Ohangla or Luo Benga for a while then you'll probably be familiar with the name Okoth Niang' Loth. I don't know why, but his name just pops out a lot in the dedications (or what Congolese people refer to as "Kobwaka mabanga"). The Kobwaka Mabanga culture is a phenomena associated with sending dedications to often rich people - mostly patrons of the art - who in one way or another has supported an artiste's musical journey. Translating literally to "throwing stones" it has been a huge part of the Congolese rumba tradition. Names Like Patrique Luwowo, Tchatcho Mbala, Adam Bombole, Didi Kinuani, Kayembe Chez Temba, Jose Kongolo FBI, Tabou Fatou "Mama na Compressor", Eddy Badiata and Ahmed Bakayoko pop up a lot in the dedications.

The Kobwaka Mabanga culture is a phenomena associated with sending dedications to (often) rich people  mostly patrons of the art.

Well, Luo music has a version of their own. You'll hear names like Obonyo K'Onyuka, Onyango Bade Bunde, Cyprian Awiti, Walter Woud Awendo, Lauren Ja'Katwenga, Ceasar Handa, Hosea Songa, Okoth "Dayo Doyo Niang' Loth" wuod Awendo, Oyugi Magwanga, Ken Wuod Awasi, Agwata Misinga, DJ Ogweno, Jiambe Otoyo, Raila Odinga, George Magoha, Omondi Tupac Onyango, Ken McAyoo, Ochola Kamili, Nyakwar Duka, Okello woudgi Ombalo Jasuba, Odhiambo Wuod Osiri, Okelo woudgi Ogungo, Omondi JM, Okumu Wuod Akala, Otis Ja'border, Aleyi Wuod Kindu, Odero 'Spoiler' Wuod Nyar'seme, Adwera wuon Okello, Ken Wuod Awasi, Dr. Pamela Nyar Kendu, DJ Ogweno, Ochieng Pioneer, Okullo Manpower, Ali Pesa Mbongo, Opiyo Wuod Akamba and others. In the song Safari ya Kendu, Onyango Mayienga mentions many names but there's one which stands out like a sore thumb: Okoth woud Awendo. The singer then adds "Mano Okoth dayo doyo Niang Loth.." and you begin to wonder who this guy could be, and why he is so popular with musicians. In the song "Nyathi Nyakach" by the late Okatch Biggy, the description "niang' loth" is applied in passing to someone else, a woman named "Jacky Nyar Sare". Well, that was over thirty years ago. So, if they're the same person, s/he must be quite old by now. If not dead.

But "Okoth Niang' Loth" is most likely a prominent businessman-cum-politician from Awendo area in Migori County, South Nyanza (Kenya). In the song Wololo by Dola Kabarry, he frequently calls out the name of Walter Wuod Awendo in an act that Luo people refer to as "chogo ngato e thum". Chogo Ngato e thum is the Luo equivalent of Congolese's "Kobwaka Mabanga". But there is a slight difference. In Congolese culture, it nothing more than business. The deal is, you scratch my back I scratch yours. People pay for this kind of thing. Of course they're exceptions. You can't imagine such a prominent a politician as Adam Bombole paying an up-and-coming artist like Vibration Bapema to chant his name on a record that he probably won't even find the time to listen to. But the general consensus is; for you get your name mentioned on a record, you must part with money. In Luo culture it is not that commercialized. Not yet. But of course some people pay for that stuff as well (and I'm seriously considering doing it myself). But the norm is you mention the name of your friend or acquaintance on the track, as a way of passing greetings. 

So, "Niang' Loth" is a "praise name" or "Pakruok" in Luo Language, that many people seem to have applied to themselves over the years. But it was most likely invented or pioneered by Hon. John Water Owino, a Member of Parliament for Awendo Constituency in Migori County, Kenya. And it stuck. He was probably a teenager when he started using it. At his current age, he must be ruing the whole ordeal. "Niang' Loth" means "sugarcane is sprouting". Awendo is a sugarcane growing area, so you would understand why someone ailing from there might want to apply the title of Niang' Loth to himself. Other people who would later take up the name or title must have heard it over the radio or at a local club and liked it enough to want to be identified with it. So, that's what Jacky Nyar Sare did. Other popular praise names in Luoland include; Ondiek Marach, Ogwal bade chieko, Rakuom piere chiegni, Wuod Dala, Jamach Piere Tindo, Ja'Raha, Chumbi Nyiri and the ilk. Someone even calls himself "Kuom Ng'wono", that is Luo for, "by grace"

So, these so-called 'praise names' sometimes go overboard. Walter "Okoth niang' loth" Owino from Awendo chose a name that fits his larger-than-life personality well, it can be argued. The point is, the praise name should ideally be short but intelligible, funny, mischievous and say something about the character of the bearer. Now, you understand why someone would refer to himself as "niang' loth" and "by grace". Have yourself a grace-filled day, won't you?

 

Note: Chogo ngato e thum translates directly to "to mention someone's name (favourably)".

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