Professional mourners mix tribal tradition with Kenya’s widespread Christianity
Associated Press
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Professional mourners grieve alongside family members and friends of the deceased during a funeral on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Professional mourner James Ajowi, who has worked in the role for more than 20 years and says the work has taken on deeper meaning since the death of his daughter, stands on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Professional mourners grieve alongside family members and friends of the deceased during a funeral on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)A woman cries during a funeral on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Family and friends shovel dirt onto the coffin of Tom Ochieng Mima on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Mourners carry a coffin during a funeral procession led by a Christian congregation on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Professional mourner James Ajowi and a relative of the deceased stand in front of the coffin on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Professional mourner Francis Oyoo draws on personal loss to enter an emotional state during a funeral on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)A family member grieves at the burial of a relative on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)A member of a church choir sings during a funeralon the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Clergy members and mourners gather during the burial of Tom Ochieng Mima on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Lawrence Ouma Angira stands during his uncle's funeral and says he finds comfort in having professional mourners present on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)Professional mourners from the Luo community perform a rite of farewell on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)
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Professional mourners grieve alongside family members and friends of the deceased during a funeral on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asa Wallin)