Pages

Friday, November 16, 2012

K’OGALO FANS PUT WORDY PROSE ON SHIRTS


By Tom Osanjo
While Gor Mahia were a prominent part of a powerful three- figure cast that starred in a dramatic season-ending battle; their fans provided a vivid supporting troupe that would be fit for  an Oscar award.
There is no other team in this part of the world whose fans are so full of braggadocio, fully displayed on their favorite jerseys than Gor Mahia’s.
Where else would you find a lady donning the white and green jersey with the words “jaber” (the beautiful one) proudly displayed at the back? And next to her yet another declaring that she was a “Diva”?

In the beginning there were just names at the back of the jerseys. So you could go to the stadium and find names like Otieno; Onyango; Kisero or Jacky written in bold.
But then the creative ones came to town and the face of the jerseys changed forever. The bold ones called themselves all manner of names. That is how you would find a “Governor” seated side by side with “Jakom: (chairman).
In Gor matches; you would find men and women declaring the names of their spouses on their jerseys. For those with special attachments to their children; you would find names like “Baba Denno” and such like on their jerseys.

If you wanted further proof that men are usually proud of their mothers, then you needed to attend a k’ogalo match.
Wuod Adhiambo” (Adhiambo’s son) is one guy who was always present at the matches. Some however wanted to tell the world their roots; “Nyar Kateng” is one I spotted and the lady was just saying that she was the daughter of a place called Karateng’.
As U.s president Obama won re-election, Gor supporters were basking in the glory of their kin extending his stay at the White House for four more years. One jersey read;
G or
O bama
R aila

At the weekend, jersey written “Jakogelo” 9the man from kogelo) or simply “wuod gi Obama” (Obama’s Kinsman) were all over town. “Tin to Ler” is a name you would find emblazoned on many women’s jerseys. Although sounding English, the name is as Luo as they come. What the lady was declaring was that she was small but very neat.







And then there are those that came with whiff of anti-conformist messages; “Atar lakini aliet” (I might be dry- skinned but am hot) were just but a few examples. And if you thought the messages are only meant for one community; you are mistaken.
There was this one of a white guy that read; “Mlami Mambo Bad” which is sheng for the Whiteman who is “bad news”.
-this story first appeared on the Daily Nation Newspaper; Monday November 12th 2012.


















No comments:

Post a Comment