The Kalenjin Tribe in kenya Rift valley

The Kalenjin are Kenya's fourth-largest ethnic group with an estimated population of 12% of the Kenya's population. Sources say they migrated to their current homeland from Sudan roughly 2,000 years ago. Currently situated east of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, they are part of the larger Southern Nilotic-speaking people of East Africa. The Kalenjin tribe is a bigger language family of the Kipsigis, Nandi, Sabaot, Tugen, Elgeyo, Marakwet, and Pokot indigenous people altogether.

They have an interesting and rich culture. Men and women alike at one time pierced their ears, and then put sticks in them to stretch the lobes. They did this so that in order to wear beads in their ears. A lot of Kalenjin of the older generation can still be noticed by their stretched earlobes. They stopped practicing this due to hygiene reasons.

The Kalenjin adore their cows and territory. Up to today, most Kalenjin local people are still engaged both in farming and animal husbandry. They do grow crops such as millet, maize, tea and sorghum. Their Kericho town of the Rift Valley province is best known for tea growing. Traditionally, they built round homes made of sticks and mud plaster, usually with pointed thatch roofs with a pole out the center. These days' homes are commonly wood and stone with modern facilities, though traditional homes can still be seen.

The children of Kalenjin were taught to respect elders. Even now, respect is very significant in their culture. Manners are vital and men are the head of the house. Girls were taught to kneel before men and weren't supposed to speak to men until they gone through circumcision. Girls had to learn how to make gourds and pots used for carrying water. They learned how to carry firewood and gather wild vegetables. Boys were taught to graze the cattle and guard the territory. Sleeping the same house with their mother, after the age of 5 was not allowed in boys.

Although still involved in animal husbandry and crop growing, the Kalenjin indigenous people have also gained international recognition as excellent runners. The Kalenjin people have attained and also maintained worldwide credit as excellent runners. From 1980, 40% or more of the top international awards in running have been awarded to Kalenjin runners, mainly at the longer distances races such as marathon. Even though the Kalenjin are not very much known for their handicrafts, women make and locally sell beautifully decorated calabashes (sotet) from gourds. They are rubbed with oil and adorned with small colored beads and the sold or exhibited in cultural events.

The Mijikenda Tribe Of coastal Kenya

The Mijikenda Tribe Of coastal Kenya

Mijikenda literally translates to "the nine cities". The Mijikenda is a broader grouping that includes the coastal Bantu sub groups of the Kauma, Chonyi, Jibana, Giriama, Kamabe, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma and Digo. All of them speak the Mijikenda Language only with different dialect. Out of the nine ethnic groups, the Digo also live in Tanzania owing to their proximity to a shared border. The Mijikenda people are said to have originated from the north of Somalia coast called Shungwaya, and migrated south 300 years ago due to attacks from the hostile Oromo tribes. The Giriama and the Digo are the biggest and famous groups. The Mijikenda live in the areas along the coast of Kenya and Tanzania. Since they have close links with the Coastal Swahili tribe in trade, their languages have a lot of similarities.

The Mijikenda people have a sacred forest, the Kaya used as a place of prayer conducted by chosen elders of the specific ethnicities. This forest is a World Heritage site. They are officially"national monuments" in Kenya with the aim of protecting their diversity. Having been untouched for years; they contain many rare or endangered species. They integrated the fables of their origins, as well as a narratives of their kaya-based, stratified societal structure, into a documentation of their Culture , and is thus passed on to their children.

The kaya, a shrine for prayer, sacrifices and other religious rituals are individually owned by each Mijikenda clan. The kayas are situated deep inside the forests and it was seen as a taboo to cut the trees or vegetation surrounding them. Members of the oldest age-set; the Kaya elders, often were believed to posses mystical powers like the ability to make rain. If they weren't successful in bringing rain during droughts, sometimes it meant being fired from the hierarchy of power since they couldn't head the Kaya without the ability to bring rain. Most Mijikenda are nowadays either Muslim or Christians due the assimilation into modern cultures some on the other hand still stick to their indigenous beliefs.

Coconut palm is the major item in the Mijikenda farming activities. Now they grow others crops like Cashew nuts, sweet potatoes, cassava, yams and millet. To meet the demands of the tourist industry has amplified the pace of development: more and more Mijikenda are taking up commercial farming to supply the demand of the hotel industry. Today, their architecture comprises of coral blocks and corrugated aluminum sheeting. They prefer building the rectangular houses with rooms on either side of a central corridor, replacing the grass thatched old age building style. They have an exciting folk music culture. Their music is largely Percussion and quite rhythmic.

The Samburu Tribe of Kenya

The Samburu Tribe of Kenya

The Samburu live just north of the equator in the Rift Valley province of Northern Kenya. The Samburu are closely related to the Maasai of East Africa. They speak a similar language, derived from Maa, which is called Samburu.

The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists. Cattle, as well as sheep, goats and camels, are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and way of life. The Samburu are extremely dependent on their animals for survival. Their diet consists mostly of milk and sometimes blood from their cows. The blood is collected by making a tiny nick in the jugular of the cow, and draining the blood into a cup. The wound is then quickly sealed with hot ash. Meat is only consumed on special occasions. The Samburu diet is also supplemented with roots, vegetables and tubers dug up and made into a soup.

Traditional Samburu Culture

The Rift Valley province in Kenya is a dry, somewhat barren land, and the Samburu have to relocate to ensure their cattle can feed. Every 5-6 weeks the group will move to find fresh grazing grounds. Their huts are built from mud, hide and grass mats strung over poles. A thorny fence is built around the huts for protection from wild animals. These settlements are called manyattas . The huts are constructed so they are easily dismantled and portable when the Samburu move to a new location.

The Samburu usually live in groups of five to ten families. Traditionally men look after the cattle and they are also responsible for the safety of the tribe. As warriors they defend the tribe from attack by both man and animals. They also go on raiding parties to try and take cattle from rival Samburu clans. Samburu boys learn to tend cattle from a young age and are also taught to hunt. An initiation ceremony to mark their entry into manhood is accompanied by circumcision.

Samburu women are in charge of gathering roots and vegetables, tending to children and collecting water. They are also in charge of maintaining their homes. Samburu girls generally help their mothers with their domestic chores. Entry into womanhood is also marked with a circumcision ceremony.

Samburu traditional dress is a striking red cloth wrapped around like a skirt (called Shukkas) and a white sash. This is enhanced with many colorful beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Both men and women wear jewelry although only the women make it. The Samburu also paint their faces using striking patterns to accentuate their facial features. Neighboring tribes, admiring the beauty of the Samburu people, called them samburu which in fact means "butterfly". The Samburu referred to themselves as the Loikop.

Dancing is very important in the Samburu culture. Dances are similar to that of the Maasai with men dancing in a circle and jumping very high from a standing position. The Samburu have traditionally not used any instruments to accompany their singing and dancing. Men and women do not dance in the same circles, but they do coordinate their dances. Likewise for village meetings, men will sit in an inner circle to discuss matters and make decisions. Women sit around the outside and interject with their opinions.

The Samburu Today

As with many traditional tribes, the Samburu are under pressure from their government to settle into permanent villages. They have been extremely reluctant to do so since obviously permanent settlement would disrupt their entire way of life. The area they live in is very arid and it's difficult to grow crops to sustain a permanent site. This basically means the Samburu will become dependent on others for their survival. Since status and wealth in Samburu culture is synonymous with the amount of cattle one owns, a sedentary agricultural lifestyle is not in the least attractive. Samburu families who have been forced to settle will often send their adult men to the cities to work as guards. This is a form of employment that has evolved naturally because of their strong reputation as warriors.

Visiting the Samburu

The Samburu live in a very beautiful, sparsely populated part of Kenya with abundant wildlife. Much of the land is now protected and community development initiatives have extended to eco-friendly lodges jointly run by the Samburu. As a visitor, the best way to get to know the Samburu is to stay at a community run lodge, or enjoy a walking or camel safari with Samburu guides. While many safaris offer the option of visiting a Samburu village, the experience is often less than authentic. The links below attempt to give the visitor (and the Samburu) a more meaningful exchange.

    * Sarara Tented Camp: Sarara Camp is a luxury tented camp, built from local materials. It overlooks a waterhole which attracts a variety of game and flocks of birds. Local Samburu help run the camp and the community benefits directly through the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust which manages the land.

    * Koija Starbeds Lodge: Stay at this wonderful eco-friendly lodge managed by the local community. Walking safaris can be arranged as well as visits to traditional Samburu and Maasai communities.

    * Il Ngwesi Lodge: An award-winning eco-lodge owned and run by the local community. It is constructed with materials from the local area and comprises six individual cottages, which all have adjoining open air showers. You can explore the area on foot, on camel or in a traditional safari vehicle.

    * Maralal Camel Safari: Maralal lies at the heart of Samburu land and this 7 day camel safari is led by Samburu warriors. This is not a luxury safari, but you will be taken good care of. A support vehicle carries luggage and supplies.

The Kikuyu Tribe In Central Kenya

The Kikuyu Tribe In Central Kenya

Kikuyu is the largest tribe in Kenya making about 22% of the country's population. The Kikuyu are believed to have move to Kenya during the Bantu migration . They moved to the central highlands of Kenya and settled around Mount Kenya . The Kikuyu fiercely resisted the British administration after they were forced to give up their fertile land to the colonial rulers. They spearheaded the MauMau rebellion, which finally lead to the country's independence in 1963.

Kikuyu people believe their god "Ngai" live at the peak of Mount Kenya , which is locally known as "Kirinyaga" . Kirinyaga means the shinning mountain or black and white peak spotted like an ostrich. According to the Kikuyu myth, a man called Gikuyu founded Kikuyu tribe. The Kikuyu people's god called Ngai took Gikuyu to the top of mount Kenya (Kirinyaga) and told him to establish his home near the mountain. Ngai showed him a Mugumo (Fig) tree and told him to build his home there. The Place where the Mugumo tree was located was called "Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga" . When Gikuyu went their, he found a woman called Mumbi . Together, they had nine daughters namely Airimu, Agachiku, Achera, Angare, Ambui, Anjiru, Angui, Aitherandu, and Aithaga . The nine daughters consequently founded the nine clans of the Kikuyu people.

The Kikuyu people are predominantly farmers and they grow major cash crops such as tea and coffee alongside other crops such as maize, beans, potatoes and fruits. The Kikuyu people also keep Cattle, sheep and goats but at a small scale. The Kikuyu land borders the Maasai territory and inter tribal raid on cattle were common. Other than agriculture, the Kikuyu people are good business people. Today, many Kikuyu people live in major cities and areas around mount Kenya.

The Akamba Tribe of Kenya in Eastern parts of Kenya

The Akamba Tribe of Kenya in Eastern parts of Kenya

They are one of tribes belonging to the Bantu people. They are about 11% of the Kenyan population and speak the Kikamba or Kamba language. The kamba are said to have migrated into their current homeland from Western region of Tanzania also known as (Unyamwezi) along the Usambara Mountains. They moved into Kenya and eventually ended in the Eastern parts of Kenya.

They currently occupy the Eastern province in the Kitui, Machakos, Makueni and Mwingi Districts of Kenya. A number of anthropologists consider them as being a mixture of some East African people, but mostly bear traits of the Bantu and additional ones from some of the Nilotic speakers like the Maasai , Kalenjin , Borana and so on not forgetting the Cushitic communities who they boarder to the East of Tsavo . A large community of Kamba is also found in Kwale District of the Coast Province , where they migrated to for economic reasons.

Culturally, they have deep rooted customs practiced for example during marriage and initiation. Just like in many Kenyan tribes, during marriage their dowry is usually paid in form of goats and cows with a recent acceptance of money. Something interesting about the Kamba, is their value for ceremonies and parties. As a result, unlike the one-day events popular in the West, the Kamba weddings go on for an extended phase of about two weeks.

Child Naming is a significant facet of the Akamba culture. Children are often lovingly called names like Musumbi which means (the "king"), and Muthoki/Nthoki (which means"long awaited one"). In most cases, children are named for/after time or events surrounding their birth. For instance, Nduku is given to a baby girl born at night and Mutuku to a baby boy born at night. They believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God Ngai, who resides up in the sky ('yayaani'). Initiation into maturity was demonstrated with circumcision, for males and many females as well but after female circumcision got officially banned in Kenya, many have decided to abandon it.

Economically, this tribe is famous for its arty ability, particularly in wood carving, basketry and ceramic objects making. Their occupational work is seen all around Kenya in shops and even galleries. Their products are hits to the tourists who come to visit Kenya usually sold at village market in Nairobi and many areas of the Kenyan coast. 


They are one of tribes belonging to the Bantu people. They are about 11% of the Kenyan population and speak the Kikamba or Kamba language. The kamba are said to have migrated into their current homeland from Western region of Tanzania also known as (Unyamwezi) along the Usambara Mountains. They moved into Kenya and eventually ended in the Eastern parts of Kenya.

They currently occupy the Eastern province in the Kitui, Machakos, Makueni and Mwingi Districts of Kenya. A number of anthropologists consider them as being a mixture of some East African people, but mostly bear traits of the Bantu and additional ones from some of the Nilotic speakers like the Maasai , Kalenjin , Borana and so on not forgetting the Cushitic communities who they boarder to the East of Tsavo . A large community of Kamba is also found in Kwale District of the Coast Province , where they migrated to for economic reasons.

Culturally, they have deep rooted customs practiced for example during marriage and initiation. Just like in many Kenyan tribes, during marriage their dowry is usually paid in form of goats and cows with a recent acceptance of money. Something interesting about the Kamba, is their value for ceremonies and parties. As a result, unlike the one-day events popular in the West, the Kamba weddings go on for an extended phase of about two weeks.

Child Naming is a significant facet of the Akamba culture. Children are often lovingly called names like Musumbi which means (the "king"), and Muthoki/Nthoki (which means"long awaited one"). In most cases, children are named for/after time or events surrounding their birth. For instance, Nduku is given to a baby girl born at night and Mutuku to a baby boy born at night. They believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God Ngai, who resides up in the sky ('yayaani'). Initiation into maturity was demonstrated with circumcision, for males and many females as well but after female circumcision got officially banned in Kenya, many have decided to abandon it.

Economically, this tribe is famous for its arty ability, particularly in wood carving, basketry and ceramic objects making. Their occupational work is seen all around Kenya in shops and even galleries. Their products are hits to the tourists who come to visit Kenya usually sold at village market in Nairobi and many areas of the Kenyan coast.

This Is A Donkey Hospital In Lamu County

This Is A Donkey Hospital In Lamu County

 Donkey Sanctuary: Since the island has no motorised vehicles, transportation and other heavy work is done with the help of donkeys. There are some 2000-3000 working donkeys on the island. Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen of the The Donkey Sanctuary in England first visited Lamu in 1985. Worried by the conditions for the donkeys, the Sanctuary was opened in 1987.[7] The Sanctuary provides treatment to all donkeys free of charge.

KENYA HELD A DONKEY RACE IN LAMU ISLAND, LAMU COUNTY

KENYA HELD A DONKEY RACE IN LAMU ISLAND, LAMU COUNTY

November 27, 2010, Lamu Island held a donkey race. Lamu is the largest town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya, is a "town in the donkey’s back." That day, the residents of Lamu Island, and tens of thousands of tourists all over the world converge here.

 Donkeys starting the race(1)

Lamu Island, Kenya held a donkey race (2)

 (3)People of lamu watching as donkeys running

 

Donkeys on the race (4)

Donkeys  finishing the race (5)

People of lamu sheering up after there donkey won the race(6)