Are you planning on visiting Kenya or traveling to Kenya for the Kenya cultural experiences, Kenya cultural tour, or Kenya cultural photography tours, well you need to read this article about the remarkable tribes of Kenya or the must visit tribes of Kenya that you do not want to miss out as an explorer inside

Most people associate Kenya with the Masai tribe. Images of tall and statuesque warriors sheathed in bright red cloth are widely represented everywhere, but there are actually more than 40 tribes in this multi-cultural country that one can choose to visit or explore while on the Kenya cultural tours or Kenya cultural photography expeditions with Nungi safaris

Kenya has a great diversity in ethnicity. Languages, customs and lifestyle differ from tribe to tribe and region to region. The 3 main tribes of Kenya are the Bantu, Nilote and Cushite. Each one has a variety of sub-tribes which are all unique in their particular culture.

KENYA TRIBAL CLUSTERS

Nilote Ethnic Group

The Nilotes are found around Lake Victoria in the Rift Valley and make up the 2nd largest population group in Kenya. The Luo people are fisherman of the River Lake Nilote group. The Maasai, Samburu and Turkana tribes are nomadic herdsman and warriors, forming the Plain Nilote group. They have a well-preserved traditional culture and are well known for this.

The Turkana also practice metalwork and carving. The Kalenjin people reside in the west and are known around the world for their athletic abilities – they form the Highland Nilote Group.

Cushite Group

The Cushite’s make up the smallest group of Kenyan tribes and are found in the arid regions of the northern frontier (east of Lake Turkana) and the northeast of the country.

The tribes include the Somali, Rendile, Borana and Oromo. They are mainly nomadic herdsman and follow Islamic principles although they are also known for their entrepreneurial abilities.

The Cushitic people tend to stay in close contact with other Cushitic communities in the neighboring country of Somalia.

Bantu Ethnic Group

This group has by far the biggest population in Kenya, which is spread out over various regions, and their main occupation is farming. The Kikuyu people make up the largest contingent (Central Kenya), where they grow crops such as coffee, maize and sugar.

Their closest relatives are the Meru (Mount Kenya) and Embu tribes, then the Luhya (the West), the Kamba tribe (the East) and the Kisii (Rift Valley), who are known for their carving and basketry, followed lastly by the Taita who are known for mining of gemstones, the Mijikenda and the Swahili people (the Coastal region).

The tribes on the coast grow a variety of foods which were introduced by merchants and traders many centuries ago such as coconuts and bananas. Arab settlers married into the Mijikenda tribe which gave rise to the Swahili dynasties.

Kenya offers a rich variety of cultural experiences with plenty of involvement with local villages. Travellers often get the opportunity to learn about Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, Swahili and other Kenya tribes and take part in activities which will be our main emphasis in this article. It’s often possible to visit schools, do a village visit on market day or walk with the herds when going out to pasture in the morning while on your cultural tour inside Kenya on the Kenya Cultural tour and Kenya Photography tour with Nungi safaris

Occasionally while on the Kenyan cultural tour, it’s even possible to take part in traditional ceremonies. While nomadic lifestyles are circumscribed these days by the conventions of modern life, these communities are still rooted in traditions very different from those most visitors are used to.

There are more than forty different language groups or tribes in Kenya, of which three communities, the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana, have held onto traditional clothing and lifestyles in much of their range. In this article, we will take about the most exciting Kenya tribes and Cultures that you must explore while on your Kenya cultural Tour or Kenyan cultural photography tour with Nungi safaris.

REMARKABLE TRIBES OF KENYA TO VISIT WHILE ON KENYA CULTURAL TOUR | KENYA CULTURAL SAFARI PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Breaking up the muted brown tones of the arid desert landscape in northern Kenya are the bold colorful and beautiful tribal faces that you come across on a Kenyan cultural photography tour. There are many unique tribes in the areas of South Sudan, Eastern Uganda, Southern Ethiopia and North West Kenya. Whilst they are unique to each other with their own traditions, beliefs, rituals and cultural practices there are also some similarities in cultural beliefs and traditions due to their origins, history and current locations.

Whilst there are many tribes and ethnic communities in Kenya, the Kenyan tribes of Turkana, Gabbra, Pokot, Rendille, El Molo and Samburu are remarkable to visit and to capture incredible tribal photos on a photography tour in Northern Kenya and Kenya cultural tour with Nungi safaris.

THE RENDILLE TRIBE –tribes of kenya |Kenya tribAL & CULTURAL TOURS  

My memories from visiting the Rendille village while I was guiding a group of photographers on the Kenya cultural tour are full of joy, freedom, fun, games and laughter! While I originally wanted to meet and photograph the Rendille and learn about their traditional attire and culture, I found myself being hand in hand surrounded by many Rendille children super excited with our visit. Initially a little scared of how the photographers in the group looked like based on the skin color, it took one brave child to touch their skin (and nothing bad happened) before they were all touching them and laughing and felt comfortable.

There are a few differing beliefs about the origins of the Rendille. Whilst they are widely accepted as indigenous to Marsabit County in Northern Kenya, there are alternative views to the Rendille tribes’ history. Many believe they were originally part of the Oromo people in Ethiopia before connecting with Oromo Somali people. The traditional Rendille Language is similar to Somali linguistically. They are also thought to be closely related to the Samburu. The Rendille tribe lives in West Marsabit in Northern Kenya in Kenya’s North East Province. The Samburu tribe is the Rendille’s neighbors to the south, with one of the Rendille tribes’ nine clans speaking the Samburu language. So if you are out there and ready to explore magical Kenya, Please book our Kenya photography cultural tour and get to learn more about this tribe and all the other remarkable tribes of Kenya.

THE SAMBURU TRIBE –kenya tribes | tribes of kenya –kenya cultural tours- kenya cultural photography tours

If you are travelling from Nairobi to Lake Turkana, you will pass many Samburu cattle herders near the beginning of your journey towards northern Kenya. The Samburu tribes live in north central Kenya. For tourists that have been to Samburu National Reserve on their wildlife safari you would have seen Samburu working in the lodges in this famous game park. The Samburu tribe has historic connections with the Masai tribe, both coming from the “Maa” people believed to have originated from South Sudan. Whilst the Samburu settled in northern central Kenya in the 15th century, the Maasai continued further south into southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.

Due to the number of tourists visiting Samburu National Reserve many tourists visit a Samburu village. As with the Maasai tribe villages close to Kenyan game parks, it has created very “touristy” village tours.

THE EL MOLO TRIBE- kenya cultural & tribal tours

In contrast to the large Samburu tribe population, the El Molo tribe who live in only two small villages on the shores of Lake Turkana are Kenya’s smallest tribe. The El Molo tribe lives a short drive from the Lake Turkana town of Loiyangalani. Their sturdy small domed homes built to withstand the harsh winds on these rocky shores. The El Molo tribe migrated from Ethiopia around 1000BC heading south into Kenya until they settled towards the south east end of Lake Turkana. They are a peaceful tribe with no conflicts towards their Turkana tribe and Samburu tribe neighbors. They have intermarried with these other tribes with the actual estimate of “pure” El Molo being less than 200.

Their original El Molo language was similar to the language of the Dassanech tribe. However, due to the low population of El Molo their official language is no longer used, with the El Molo now speaking the Samburu language.

THE POKOT TRIBE –kenya tribal & cultural tours

With a reputation of being fierce in conflict, the Pokot tribe is not on many cultural Kenyan itineraries or Kenya tour Packages. There definitely are times with great conflict challenges with the Pokot tribe and many tour operators that focus on African safaris will not travel to the Pokot tribe. However, like with any tribal tour you must go with experienced ground teams who have the local contacts and I can tell you that, as Nungi safaris, we are already connected with all those contacts that will make sure your Kenya tribal & cultural tour go on as planned. The majority of the time they are safe to visit during the day with many of the isolated raids and conflicts occurring during the night. Most days they are at peace, however the small times of conflict is what everyone hears about and which keeps many tourists away. Due to the limited tourists that visit the Pokot tribe in Kenya they are one of the most wonderful communities to visit.

The Pokot tribe are known within Kenya to win any conflict they are involved with. People in the Pokot tribe have told us that whilst most Pokot people are friendly, they do have a few “very bad” Pokot people within their tribe. We have found them to be truly welcoming, happy and friendly and there are a couple of villages that love tourists and photographers visiting them.

Most of the Pokot tribe live in West Pokot District and Baringo County in Kenya, with some Pokot living in the Pokot District of Eastern Karamojong in north eastern Uganda. The Kenyan Pokot tribe is originally from Southern Ethiopia and settled into Kenya more than 2,000 years ago. Are you ready to explore Kenya’s’ tribes while on the Kenya tribal and cultural tour with Nungi safaris, Please CONTACT US.

THE TURKANA TRIBE- TRIBAL & CULTURAL TOURS IN KENYA

One of the most well-known tribes in Kenya along with Maasai and Samburu tribes, the Turkana tribe have a very large population being the 10th largest ethnicity in Kenya. They live in Turkana County in northwest Kenya with many people visiting Lake Turkana to spend time with the Turkana tribes. Their fashionable adornments and style of jewellery are symbolic to marriage status as well as which clan they are from. As you travel closer to Lake Turkana you see many Turkana villages and their camels. The Turkana tribe live to the north of the Pokot tribe and the two tribes are involved in isolated intense conflicts mostly due to cattle raids and have resulted in many deaths. The Kenyan Turkana tribe originally came from the Karamojong region in north east Uganda.

THE GABBRA TRIBE –KENYA TRIBES | TRIBAL & CULTURAL TOURS IN KENYA

If you are travelling from Loiyangalani, Lake Turkana through the Chalbi Desert towards Marsabit you will come across the Gabbra tribe. Living in a harsh desert landscape and the only desert in Kenya, the Gabbra homes are surprisingly cool inside compared to the relentless sunshine outside. They have the largest homes of any tribe in northern Kenya and are large domed shaped and covered in dried animal skins, grass and incredibly beautiful fabric pieces. The Gabbra originated from Ethiopia and have close connections to the Borena tribe whose dialect of Oromo language the Gabbra now speak rather than their original unique language from the past.

The Gabbra can be quite shy as not many tourists visit them. Time and patience to connect and get them to feel comfortable is really important; as with any tribe and especially the more remote African tribes like the Gabbra. There is lots of driving on a northern Kenya tour that includes the Chalbi desert.