Best Unique Tribes in Kenya – Kenya Cultural Safari
Best Unique Tribes in Kenya :Kenya is culturally diverse country with a unique and impressive cultures and traditions. Although there is large group of tribe in Kenya with over 40 ethnic groups in the country. And the society is divided into three linguistic communities that is; the Nilotic ‘’30%’’ Bantus ‘’67%’’ and Cushitic speakers. Asian, European and Kenyan Arab people also make a population in the economy of Kenya.
Despite the fact that ,bantu group are the biggest ethnic community in Kenya which comprises of the Kikuyu, Akamba, Luhya, Kisii, Meru and Mijikenda tribes among others. The Bantu people mainly depend on farming of regular staple and cash crop foods including coffee and tea for their standard of living. However, the Mijikenda tribe have inter-relation of language with Arab and Persian traders who formed to the famous Swahili culture. Moreover, Swahili is the most widely spoken language in Kenya destination that has impacted the position of an official language of Kenya alongside English language.
Then Nilotes groups is also another community tribe found in Kenya which comprises of Masai, Luo, Turkana, Samburu and Kalenjin tribes. Those who fall in the Nilotes group are said to be warriors and hunters and are majorly nomadic in their living style.
Interestingly, the Masai people are recognized worldwide for their unique cultural heritage. To have a great encounter of the unique Kenyan tribes /cultures just pull out your stocking and get started a plan for a Kenya Wildlife Safari and get to meet up with many of these impressive tribes as listed below;
Kikuyu
This is the most sounding tribe in Kenya and the most populous one tribe with its own culture privileges and traditions. They form up 22% population of Kenya and mostly inhabits Kenya’s Central region. The Kikuyus are commonly known for being large-scale farmers of cash crops like tea and coffee. The Kikuyu community are good in worshiping a deity named ‘’Ngai’’ who resides in those of Mount Kenya.
Traditionally, a kikuyu man is allowed to marry more than one woman if he can cate for their needs. The practice of paying bride price is a great part of their culture. According to their language have managed to keep the importance even in the urban areas where a majority of people speak English and Swahili. It is well-known how the kikuyu people money desires and are said to be aggressive in their business exploits.
Luhya
These are the second largest among other tribes found in Kenya forming 14% of the Kenyan population. Note, the Luhya tribe is a group of over sub-tribes and each practicing its own dialect of Luhya language and consists of several sub-tribes such as Bukusu, Banyala, Maragoli, Batsotso, Gisu, Idakho, Banyore, Idakho, Isukha, Khayo, Marama, kisa, Masaaba, Samia, Tachoni, Tiriki and Wanga all these make up the sub-tribes of Luhya. They are positioned in the fertile western region of Kenya.
Traditionally, they worship Nyasaye or Khakaba as their god whom they believe in for the great miracle.
The most important thing in Luhya tribe is the male circumcision ritual that is carried out to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood. In sports are well –known of practicing Bull fight which is their popular sport and also known for their love for food such as Ugali their ‘’a popular traditional dish’’.
Kisii
The Kisii is known as the 7th largest tribe in Kenya that forms 6% of the Kenyan population. These tribe of people live in the highly fertile highlands in Nyanza –western Kenya. Their families tend to be like those of the polygamous families who live close to each other and do cooperate in daily activities like cooking and farming.
In Kisii tribe, men are allowed to have more than one wife, if they can cater for all their responsibilities. The practice of female circumcision was mandatorily carried out by this tribe. Though this ritual has been outlawed and some are still practiced in certain parts. However, male circumcision is still practiced to mark the initiation of boys into an adulthood.
They are good in farming banana on a large scale in local is called ‘’Matooke.
Traditionally, this tribe worship a supreme god known as Engoro and ancestral spirits. Culturally, the kasii tribe are famously known for soapstone carvings, basketry and pottery. Though are known to be short-tempered.
Masai Tribe
Currently, Masai tribe have become a famous tribe in Kenyan country because of their unique culture and history but their number is still small with a total
population of around 841,622 people. They are known of their unique culture which they have harmoniously integrated with the modern ways of life. Such as the dressing code, they tend to put on red-stripped shukas and other traditional regalia. Travelers interested in doing cultural encounter, your next visit on Africa Cultural /wildlife safari visit Kenya’s central and southern parts of Kenya and northern Tanzania where Masai people reside.
They live in families of ten to twenty tiny huts which is well fenced with bushes and sharp thorns. They are called Enkang. There primary source of food is meat since are cattle keepers. They are popularly known as semi-nomadic because of the need to find new grazing land for the cattle. The number of cattle a man has he is the richer he is considered.
The Masai people are believed in worshiping their god called Enkai. Masai ‘Moran’ is a critical rite of passage for men who live for a certain period in isolation, learning how to develop strong, courage and endurance to become a great warrior they are known to be. They are renown of their height, thus Best Unique Tribes in Kenya.
Mijikenda
The Mijikenda sub-tribe is a largest Bantu group of people that is composed of nine sub-tribes whose culture revolves around clans and age sets and tribes includes the Digo, Giriama, Duruma, Chonyi, Kambe, Kauma, Rabai, Jibana and Ribe among others. They are still small population people and found in the coastal region of Kenya.
However, Mijikenda are considered to be one of the important tribe in Kenya for having introduced Swahili culture in the country.
These clan is typically a tribe of many families that share a patriarchal ancestor. And each clan has its own sacred place called Kaya which is a shared space to carryout religious rituals such as prayer, sacrifices many more.
The Mijikenda people their best dish is known as Digos and their staple food is called Wali, a dish prepared with rice and coconut milk, fish and other seafood are also their primary source of food.
Luo
The Luo community is among the largest tribes in Kenya with a very small population of people who are ethnic group of people who are inhabits of the western Kenya ‘’Nyanza’’ region. They depend on fishing as a source of their livelihood. They have their slogan which states ‘’without fish’’, Luo clan is not complete.
Traditionally, the Luo tribe have attendance of removing the six lower teeth of boys during circumcision which is carried out to distinguish Luo men from others. In this tribe they have a unique thing in their community where are being hired as professional mourners and are often paid to mourn for others. They are known for bragging and flossing.
Kalejin
The Kalejin is one of the most popular ethnic group in Kenya holding the 3rd populous tribe that forms 12% of the Kenyan population. This tribe is comprised of eight sub-tribes namely the Kipsigis, Tugen, Nandi, Keiyo Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokot and Terik among other.
They are known of their traditional unique construction which is called thatched huts built with bent saplings and a mixture of mud and cow dung. Moreover, they practice large –scale farming for livelihood as well as cattle keeping. The milk got from their cattle is more popular in Kenya and other regions.
Male children who have grown ‘’teenage’’ have to be circumcised.
They have their traditional god whom they worship ‘’a deity ‘’ called Asis which signifies by the sun. The people of this tribe of their athletic superiority.
Cultural encounter has become a great exposure on African safaris and here comes unique Kenyan cultural experience which can be booked on Kenyan Safari Holidays has you can be able to explore its rich cultures.
