Travel Guide To Samburu Tribe/People Tour, Northern Kenya Cultural Safaris
Take a cultural tour with us to the Samburu tribe in northern Kenya and gain insight into the Samburu people's culture and distinctive way of life. Get to learn more about the bright-beaded collars worn by the women of the Samburu Tribe when you tour a traditional manyatta. Discover the hidden messages within their elaborate jewelry and see the warriors gather to dance during an exclusive glimpse into the life of this colorful Kenyan tribe.
Touring the Samburu Tribe in Northern Kenya is a fantastic way to briefly take a step into the world of the Samburu people who, to this day, continue to live a semi-nomadic and traditional lifestyle that is largely untouched by the modern world.
The Samburu people's social organization is a gerontocracy. The Samburu tribe's power of elders is linked to the belief in their curse, underpinning their monopoly over arranging marriages and taking on further wives. This is at the expense of unmarried younger men, whose development up to the age of thirty is in a state of social suspension, prolonging their adolescent status.
The Samburu people, related to the better-known Maasai, are a semi-nomadic people living in central northern Kenya. The traditional dress of Samburu is very colorful and includes lots of beadwork. They number approximately 252,000 and are traditionally a pastoralist community that depends heavily on cattle, sheep, goats, and occasionally camels. Those Samburu living on the plains above Maralal also do some farming but in the lowlands that is not possible.
About Samburu People:
Known for their brightly colored dress, beautiful beaded necklaces, and wonderful dances, the Samburu people are also considered to be a tribe of great warriors. They speak their own dialect of the Maa language and refer to themselves by the name of “Loikop,” which generally translates to “owners of the land.” Yet, most people know them as the Samburu. The name “Samburu” means “butterfly,” and this was the name given to them by neighboring tribes who admired their beauty.
Samburu people revolve their lifestyle around that of their cattle and livestock. In this arid region of north-central Kenya, this means that the Samburu frequently relocate their village in search of better grazing grounds.
Ethnically, the Samburu are plain Nilotes, a super linguistic branch of the “maa” people. These are: masaai, Lshamus, Sampur and Laikipiak. Historically, they settled in Kenya centuries ago from “woto” (the north). The Samburu settled in the northern areas of Kenya (whilst the Maasai drifted south and settled in a belt stretching from Maasai Mara to Arusha).
Traditionally, the Samburu are known for their striking dress, hairstyles, and strong warriorhood. Music, singing, and dancing are important elements of their culture and this can also be experienced at the annual Lake Turkana Festival in Loiyangalani, Turkana County.
Tribally the tribes are divided into age groups namely:- Lkiteku, Llkipiku, Ltarigirik, Lmarikon, Lterito, Lmirisho, Lkileku, lmekuri, Lkimaniki, Lkishili, Lkiroro and Lmooli there are nine clans including Ntolu (axe). Eight types of cattle are farmed consisting of white and black cattle. The white cattle are termed Lorokushu, Lukumae, Long’eli, and Loimisi. The black cattle, Lmasula, Lpisikishu, Lngwesi and Lnyaparae.
You will take a journey through the desert landscape to visit a Samburu village. It is a remarkable privilege to meet members of this ancient and proud tribe as they welcome you with a traditional meal and a walk through the manyatta (homestead). Sit in the central meeting place to see the stalwart Samburu warriors as they share a traditional dance, jumping higher and higher to outdo each other. Learn all about the stunning beaded necklaces worn by the Samburu women and listen to stories passed down for generations.
Samburu people still retain many of their traditions as they live largely untouched by modern-day civilization, in areas surrounding Samburu National Reserve and to the South of Lake Turkana. The visit to a Samburu village is a chance to interact with Samburu people get a glimpse into their culture, and unique way of life, and see firsthand some of their customs and practices.
Samburu Lifestyle:
Like the Maasai, the Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists. This means that their way of life revolves around their cattle (as well as sheep, goats, and camels). Samburu lives in ''manyattas'' made up of a cluster of huts, consisting of four to ten families; a village is generally not permanent; it settles in one place for two months at most, and after this, it moves to other places, in the constant search for new pastures for livestock.
They have a strong oral tradition, passing down their history and customs through stories and riddles. These fascinating tales are given to the children of the tribes around crackling fires inside the Manyattas, or under moonlit skies in the arid plains around the villages. Adding to the magic and impressing upon the minds of future generations the importance of the Samburu and respect for the land, the animals, and their elders.
The Samburu have a calendar, and it is important to determine the seasons and times of drought. Rituals and rains. Elders of the tribe have a mystical knowledge of these seasons and, without calendars, can determine the correct time for every activity. Certain families who have this heuristic foresight are consulted before every tribal event is planned.
Like the Maasai, the Samburu follow the rain in search of fresh pasture and water for their cattle, camels, goats, and sheep. You’ll join the women in the beading workshop. Learn how the colorful collars reveal subtle clues about their wealth and status. This is the place to buy authentic souvenirs as you know it will directly help these women support their families.
Samburu People Diet:
Samburu diet primarily consists of milk and on occasion the blood from their cows. (The blood is collected by nicking the cow’s jugular vein and then the wound is quickly sealed with hot ash.) Meat is mainly eaten only on ceremonial occasions.
Samburu Traditional Dressing:
Females tend to wear bright solid-colored dresses (a few have pretty patterns on them) and they are decorated with elaborate beaded necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. The men’s clothing primarily consists of brightly colored red cloth that is wrapped around their body like a skirt, with a yellow cloth wrapped around their chest like a sash. They too also were some jewelry but it tends to be simpler in nature.
Samburu Traditional Dances and Singing:
Singing and dancing are extremely important in the Samburu culture. Their traditional dance involves the men taking turns jumping as they all sing. This looks the same as the famous Masaai dances.
Religious beliefs of the Samburu:
The Samburu believe in one Creator God. They have stories that tell how God once lived very close to Man, but due to wrongdoing, has since moved far away. They also believe that God can still hear when man calls his Name. Their religion however is deeply rooted in their traditions and how they live. Traditionally a man will pray for God’s blessing on his home early in the morning and all meetings begin and end with prayer
Where To Stay in Samburu People's
Much of the land is now protected and community development initiatives have extended to eco-friendly lodges jointly run by the Samburu, and these include;
Sarara Tented Camp in Samburu people's
This is a luxury tented camp built from local materials. It overlooks a waterhole that attracts a variety of game and flocks of birds. Local Samburu helps run the camp and the community benefits directly through the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, which manages the land
Koija Starbeds Lodge in Samburu people's
Stay at this wonderful eco-friendly lodge managed by the local community. Walking safaris can be arranged as well as visits to traditional Samburu and Maasai communities.
Il Ngwesi Lodge in Samburu people's
This is an award-winning eco-lodge owned and run by the local community. It is constructed with materials from the local area and comprises six individual cottages, all with adjoining open-air showers. You can explore the area on foot, on a camel, or in a traditional safari vehicle
Maralal Camel Safari in Samburu people's
Maralal lies at the heart of Samburu land and this 7-day camel safari is led by Samburu warriors. This is not a luxury safari, but you will be taken good care of. A support vehicle carries luggage and supplies.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile: +256 705 087 906 / 760 282 342
