Kenya Rural Cultural Villages

Rural Kenya Cultural Diversity

Kenya’s rich cultural diversity is a combination of many tribes, traditions, religions and languages. From the world famous Masai to the Samburu people, the Turkana as well as the Swahili people and their culture in Mombasa, majority of Kenyan tribes still live deeply rooted in old traditions and superstitions.

Unchanging Lifestyle, Old is Gold

Beliefs are based on witchcraft and traditions make such an influence in the society that people have hardly evolved from their old methods and old life-style and especially in rural Kenya. Cultures and traditions are real especially in rural Kenya. People make efforts to keep their old traditional music, their old clothing items, their old harvesting and farming techniques. Rural cultural villages in Kenya is all about cultural destinations in rural villages, the perfect places to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle.

The Masai Tribe

The Masais are traditionally semi-nomadic and entirely dependent on their livestock. These days they tend to be fairly sedentary, occupying small settlements of 8-15 houses protected by thorn bushes or fencing. Livestock, including goats and sheep but especially cattle, are the primary source of income for the Maasais.

The Samburu Tribe

The Samburu are closely related to the Maasai. Both arrived in Kenya from the upper Nile region in present-day South Sudan in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They speak a common language – Maa. The traditional Samburu diet consists of milk and blood extracted from their cows. Meat is only served on special occasions. Dancing plays a significant role in Samburu culture and is similar to that of the Maasai people. Whie dancing, the do so in a circle and jumping high from a standing position.

The Turkana Tribe

The Turkana are an important pastoral community in northern Kenya. Like other herders, they traditionally lived and still today live a nomadic life. They always move from one place to another depending on the availability of pasture and water for their animals. Although trading and employment are increasingly important (many Turkana men work in the security services or as guards and night watchmen), the old cattle culture is still vitally important. Fishing is also a major source of food for those living close to Lake Turkana.