The Different Tribes of Kenya
What are the key differences between contrasting tribes?
Kenya is an incredibly diverse country that is filled with endless cultural differences and an essence of long lived customs and traditions. There are over 40 individual ethnic groups in this East African country, all equally as connected and affiliated with the love and adoration of communal bonds. Kenya is home to a variety of tribes, all filled with contrasting heritage and folklore practices. In this blog post, we are going to delve into some of the more popular and controversially interesting tribes in Kenya, in hopes to grasp a sense of what the Kenyan people can share with us.
The first tribe we’re going to talk about is the “Kikuyu” tribe. The Kikuyu tribe is one of the most popular tribes in Kenya and has developed its own set of cultures and traditions.
The tribe members are usually acknowledged for their large scale farmers and their “cash crops” which include the selling and distribution of both tea and coffee. They also have their own language which has kept its high importance in multiple areas where urban language (such as English and Swahili) hold great value! The Kikuyu man is given permission to marry more than just one woman at a time, providing that he is able to prove that he can support the wife accordingly. It is also common for a man to pay for his bride, as a sign of respect in their culture. The tribe is often associated with being both aggressive in behaviour, but subsequently looking after their own and showing respect to one another.
The next tribe we’re going to talk about it the “Mijikenda” tribe, which is located in the coastal region of Kenya. This tribe is so big that it comprises of over nine sub-tribes, whose cultures all revolve around the areas of “clans” and “age-sets”. Altogether there are around 1,900,000+ tribe members! It is considered as one of the most important Kenyan tribes as it gave birth to the Swahili culture. Often referred to as “clans”; Mijikenda members tend to live in groups of several family members and often have their own scared space to conduct rituals and prayers which is known as a “Kaya”. They are additionally known for their incredibly impressive cooking skills, with their staple dish being “Wali”; a meal prepared with rice and coconut milk.
Our third tribe is called the “Luhya” tribe. This is the second largest tribe in Kenya, holding an incredible 14% of the Kenyan population. They are based in the Western part of Kenya and withhold an impressive eighteen sub-tribes within the Luhya name, all in which practice their own dialect of the Luhyu langauge. A large part of their culture lies within the circumcision of young men. It is seen as an important ritual in majority of the sub-tribes, as it marks the transition from boyhood to manhood. The tribe is also known for its popular sport of bull fighting, alongside also being renowned for their love of food.
Our fourth tribe is called the “Kalejin” Tribe, which is the third most popular group in Kenya, forming an imposing 12% of the Kenyan Population, whilst additionally holding eight sub-tribes. Kalejin people live together in thatched huts which are often created out of mud, cow dung and wood. They enjoy practicing large-scale farming as a means of living and enjoy engaging in cattle keeping. They are also known for their love of fermented milk.
Our fifth tribe is called the “Kisii” tribe, which forms 6% of the Kenyan population and is based in the highlands of Nyanza in Western Kenya. Kisii families are usually large in quantity and choose to live closely together, with their daily activities include cooking and farming. Male circumcision is also an important factor in this tribes beliefs, but with the addition of female circumcision also being introduced. Although originally mandatory to be carried out by this tribe to circumcise a young woman (often before the age of five), the ritual has since been outlawed though continues to be practiced in some parts. Kisii members have been described as rather short-tempered, but also adhere to worshiping a god named “Engoro” who is a supreme deity of an ancestral spirit. The Kissi culture is also known for its development of basketry, soap stone carvings and pottery making.
Our sixth tribe is called the “Maasai” tribe, who are known for their renowned affinity with their cultural history in which they effortlessly mix with their more modern way of life. Only inhabiting around 840,000+ people and famous for their distinctive dress sense, The Maasai tribe are incredibly fascinating. Maasai families usually live in groups of ten to twenty members within their enclosure that they call “Enkang” which is protected by wires, fences and bushes. They live their lives dedicated to cattle farming which steadies their primary source of nutrition. They believe in a supreme god called “Enkai” and are known for their endurance and courage to become fearless warriors.
The last tribe we will be looking at is the “Luo” tribe, forming a grand 13% of the Kenyan population and residing within the Western parts of Kenya. Luo people depend on fishing as their main means of living and usually show reprimand if a Luo member does not dedicate their livelihood to this. Something authentic about this tribe is that they are known for their act of mourning. Luo tribe members are rotationally hired as “professional mourners” by locals, in which they will collectively mourn the life of someone who has passed. An important Luo tradition is to not only practice male circumcision on young boys, but to also introduce the extraction of six lower teeth. This practice is said by the Luo’s to distinguish the men from the boys. Luo people are additionally acknowledged for their reputation of bragging.
When learning about these tribes and all of the differing traditions and cultural preferences, it is incredible to acknowledge the depth into which each tribe possesses. Whether it be a means of community, the importance of survival, the principal of dialect or the significance of food, each of the tribes have one thing in common, and that is the connection they hold between themselves and their chosen tribe members.
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