The Samburu People of Kenya, Facts, Height, And Culture

North-central Kenya’s Samburu are a Nilotic tribe renowned for their rich cultural heritage and semi-nomadic pastoralist way of life. They speak a dialect of the Maa language, are closely connected to the Maasai, and are distinguished by their colourful beadwork, eye-catching attire, and fierce warriors.

Approximately 160,000 people call the vast plains of the Samburu region, in north central Kenya, home. They are pastoralists. It appears that they came south from the Nile region in Northern Africa; cousins of the Maasai people of Kenya, they are thought to have migrated there. Their version of the Maa language is indistinguishable from the Maasai’s vernacular. They inhabit an isolated area that is so parched that it can hardly sustain human habitation. The Samburu are known for their extensive livestock, which includes not just cattle but also goats, sheep, and camels. Due to their extremely arid climate, this tribe is considered nomads. The majority of their disputes revolve around the pursuit of land, and they are continually on the move in search of water and pasture for their livestock. Similar to the Maasai, the Samburu often subsist on milk and animal blood, only consuming actual food for ceremonial occasions.

The distinctive social structure and brightly coloured garments of these indigenous people have made them famous. Necklaces, anklets, and bracelets adorn the men’s attire, which resembles the Scottish kilt and is either pink or black in colour. Braided hairstyles are common among the Moran, an age group known for its warriors. Ironically, the women cover their bodies with two layers of cloth: one around their waist and another around their chests. They also shave their heads. The ladies, taking a cue from the Himba of Namibia, will smear ochre on their skins and wear blue or purple garments. The social structure of the Samburu is gerontocracy, which sets them apart from other tribes. In a gerontocracy, the only people who make choices are the elders. In most tribes, the eldest members serve as leaders. They have ultimate say over many matters and the authority to cast spells on the younger, disobedient members of the tribe. For the highly devout Samburu people, there is one god, Nkai, who is both almighty and all-powerful. Those in charge of maintaining social order, the elders, are deeply loyal to him and do his bidding.

A History Of The Samburu People