44 Tribes of Kenya

Maasai

They are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle. Their way of life has become a tourist attractio...

Kalenjin

They are divided into nine culturally and linguistically related clans: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik and...

Bulji

The Bulji traditional beliefs are being wiped of as the minority tribe is adding a modern twist to their cultural practices

Samburu

Dancing is a significant part of Samburu culture. Their dancing is similar to that of the Maasai people with men dancing in a circle and ju...

Maasai

They are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle. Their way of life has become a tourist attraction for foreigners visiting Kenya
The Maasai coexist with wildlife carrying out their pastoral activities
The warrior (Moran) is of great importance as a source of pride in the Maasai culture. To be a Maasai is to be born into one of the world’s last great warrior cultures
The peculiar traditional Maasai house was designed for people on the move and thus their houses were very impermanent in nature. The Inkajijik (houses) are either circular or loaf-shaped and are made by women.
Maasai clothing also holds an area of interest. Red is a favored color among the Maasai. Black, Blue, checked and striped cloth are also worn, together with multicolored garments.Thet Interesting prints in their garments has also inspired contemporary high fashion brands like Louis Vuitton https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/in-pictures-louis-vuitton-s-maasai-fashion-688872 The Maasai adornmentssuch as beaded neckpieces and earrings is also uniquely known to them and acts as cultural artifacts
Maasai Traditional dances are also uniquely known to them. It consists of rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists singing harmonies while a song leader, or ‘olaranyani’, sings the melody. Neck movements and high jumps accompany the melodies

They are divided into nine culturally and linguistically related clans: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik and Ogiek.
Oral tradition was and still is very important among the Kalenjin. This is through stories, songs, proverbs, and riddles which in turn preserves their culture
Popular cuisine unique to the Kalenjin is a special beverage known as ‘Mursik’. This consists of fermented whole milk that has been stored in a special gourd, cleaned by using a burning stick. The result is that the milk is infused with tiny bits of charcoal.
Sports is a major interest point among the Kalenjin especially the youth. The most widely known sport among the Kalenjin being long distance marathons

The Bulji traditional beliefs are being wiped of as the minority tribe is adding a modern twist to their cultural practices

Dancing is a significant part of Samburu culture. Their dancing is similar to that of the Maasai people with men dancing in a circle and jumping high from a standing position. the Samburu do not useany instruments to accompany their dancing and singing.
The Samburu people traditionally in a vibrant red cloth wrapped like a skirt and a white sash. This is accompanied with many colorful beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Each piece of jewellery worn represents the status of the person wearing them and occasion
Samburu traditional settlements known as ‘Manyattas’are built by women
Much like the Maasai who they are closely related to the Samburu people co-exist with life and today, help run ecofriendlytourist lodges around where they settle