Kenya Fun Facts - People and Culture

This week our Kenya Director Leila shares some fun facts about the tribes in Kenya and specifically about the Turkana tribe. 

Kenya is a land of great diversity in its people and cultures. We have about 42 tribes in Kenya with different languages and cultures that all merge to become the unique mix of Kenyan culture. The biggest six tribes comprises about half the Kenya population and hence there is a higher influence to Kenyan culture from the people of these big tribes.

The diverse cultures in Kenya give rise to very interesting mix of traditional dresses and clothing. Most people have their own traditional way of dressing which makes it very interesting. Different people have different cultural beliefs and practices. Traditional marriage ceremonies are big events for all Kenya tribes although they are all done with their own unique flavor.

All Kenya people speak the national Language of Swahili and most people speak English too. Therefore, all Kenyan people can communicate with each other with ease. Most people speak their own traditional languages too.

Language, however, is the main criteria for a tribe. There are three main language groups in which the tribes in Kenya can be divided:

The Turkana People

The Turkana people are a Nilotic ethnic community native to Turkana County in northwestern Kenya, known for their nomadic pastoralist lifestyle and their connection to Lake Turkana, with a rich cultural heritage including basket weaving and traditional festivals.

Culture and Traditions:

·      Basket and Weaving: They are known for their basket weaving skills.

·   Lake Turkana Cultural Festival: They hold an annual festival that showcases traditional ceremonial dances and costumes.

·      Religion: They traditionally believe in a supreme being named Akui who is associated with sky and is believed to control the blessings of life.

·      Diviners: They have a tradition of diviners who are believed to have the ability to see into the future and guide the community.

·      Livestock: Livestock is an important aspect of Turkana culture, used not only for milk and meat but also as a form of currency for bride price.

·      Diet: Milk and other dairy products as well as blood are important to the Turkana.

The ladies of BnB are from the Turkana community they enjoy their rich culture and traditions some have been abolished through the years. They make the baskets and beads with their hands .