When in Kenya, Meet the Locals

Kenya is Mother Nature’s special child. Having been bestowed with such vividness and variety, the country will leave you charmed for a lifetime. Plenty has been written about the rich wildlife it has, so this time I will be making a diversion from there and talk about one more aspect that makes Kenya what it is – The Tribes! This African country has over 40 different tribes and nearly 70 different languages with English being widely understood and spoken. From food to music to jewelry, each and every one of the Kenyan tribes boasts of a rich and unique culture which the discerning travelers love to discover and experience. Kenya has three main ethnic groups: Bantus, Nilotes and Cushitic.
 

From the Earth

The Bantus are the largest community in Kenya and include the Kikuyu tribe that tends to dominate politics in the country. The Bantu people work on land and grow much of the country’s produce including the coffee and tea that Kenya is famous for. There are several tribes that comprise the Bantu community, including the Embu, Meru and the Kisii of the Rift Valley.

You would love their staple foods like githeri (a stew made of maize and kidney beans) and ugali (a type of porridge served with most meals). The Bantus are also celebrated for their interesting take on handicrafts made from natural materials. If you see any examples of Bantu carving, basketry and even soap carvings, pick as many for folks home and you still would not have taken enough.
 

Behold the Warrior

The Nilotes people live primarily around the Rift Valley and Lake Victoria.  They include two of the most recognizable tribes in Kenya, the Masai and Samburu known to wear beautiful beads and vibrant colours. Their culture has been preserved for centuries and is still closely held, making them iconic symbols of Kenya’s tribal communities even though they only account for a small part of the population.

These tribes fish or are herdsmen and live relatively traditional and nomadic lifestyles, moving in search of water and pastoral land frequently. The Masai Warrior is the most familiar picture of Kenya’s tribal community. Standing in their glorious red robes holding a decorated shield, this tribe is the most fabled Kenyan tribe.  As warriors, it is no surprise that some of their traditions focus on physical combat, for example bull fighting is a popular sport amongst the Masais. They also have some interesting food preparations such as mursik, which is a drink made from fermented milk.

Seeking the Oasis in the Desert

The Cushitics comprise of only a minority of the Kenyan population. They live in the arid regions of Eastern Kenya and include Somali, Borana and Oromo tribes. They are also nomadic, searching for food and water in the dry regions with their herds. They have very close ties to neighbouring countries of Ethiopia and Somalia. As nomads, they establish new houses wherever they move to. The Cushite women are skillful weavers, who use this skill to create grass huts in each new home.

From the crafts to their interesting tastes, the tribes of Kenya give the country a colourful vibrant culture. From the throbbing sound of the drums to the delicate and vibrant beadwork, Kenya’s tribes make this country a fascinating place. From the arid north to the foundation of civilisation in the Rift Valley, the tribes of Kenya still hold on to traditions that have seen them through centuries.

Want to explore Kenyan Culture? MakeMyTrip offers flights and packages to Nairobi.