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.
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