Since the beginning of Kenya National Commission for UNESCO cultural celebration staged at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu, a very long cue has always been witnessed. Many cueing towards the small hut temporarily erected for ‘Omieri’ the python.
The legendary snake was brought back to Kisumu on Monday in a glass cage, three days before the kickoff of the major event.
The snake has since sparked a lot of excitements as those who have had the chance to view her remains gives the insight story about what they have experienced.
Precisely, these are what bring the excitements.;
The length
It has been confirmed that the legendary python is 5.3 meters long. The giant snake died 31 years ago and since her demise, the body has always been kept at the Nairobi National Museum. Omieri succumbed to wildfires in Nyakach Sub County where she lived. Due to serious burning, the snake was unable to feed so she developed fungal infections which developed to mouth rot and finally her death.
Unique traditional ceremony conducted at the viewing point
During the launching of the UNESCO cultural celebrations, a team of Luo elders led by Mzee Willis Otondi dressed up in Luo traditional regalia made a special tradition ceremony to cleanse the giant snake, where they apologized for bushfires that took away her breath.
While praying for the snake, the elders promised to perform a ritual cleansing in Lower Nyakach where the python suffered wounds that led to her demise.
The Promise
As per the Kisumu residents’ plea, the giant snake is confirmed to stay at Kisumu Museum for six weeks after which she will be taken to her native home Nyakach and later ferried back to Nairobi. However, the residents' main plea was that the county government of Kisumu to retain the snake for good since she belongs to their land.
Weight
The legendary python weighs 58 kilograms, which is amazing. According to the specialist, it is hard to keep a 58 kg reptile since it requires less heat and light. And that whoever keeps it must keep giving it disinfection over and over and never let it out in the open, saying it is the reason why the legendary snake has been kept in a glass cage.
The UNESCO event with a hashtag Culture In Kisumu (#CultureInKisumu) trending on Twitter is meant to go for one week.
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