Community Cultural Tours in Kenya
Community Cultural Tours in Kenya : Most of us have long imagined visiting the outdoors, beaches, and going on adventures, but we have an option for you. Kenya Cultural Tours is a reflection of the 42 tribes of Kenya’s purest forms of traditional culture. Although we spend the most of our cultural encounters in real isolated villages, Kenya’s cities and townships have their own distinct culture. Each city reflects an unusual mix of cultures and ethnic creeds in its architecture, gastronomy, art, dress, and other aspects. The Masai and Samburu are two of Kenya’s 42 tribes that are most regularly encountered since they have maintained their customs to this day.
Visit to a Masai/Samburu Village
The bright colors of their garments mainly red shukas or sheets and the brightly beaded jewellery – necklaces, bracelets, and amulets – worn by the women and men are the first things you will notice as you enter a village. Their beadwork art is very appealing and has more than just ornamental value; they use these handcrafted pieces to express their identity and social status. You can support the village by making a purchase while also bringing home an authentic souvenir from your travels.
The Maasai are known for their rhythmic call-and-response singing and their adumu, or “jumping dance.” The warriors create a circle, with one person entering the center, and the dancer jumps higher and higher to the singers’ beats. The singers’ voices will become higher in pitch as he jumps higher. You will also be invited inside the circle, which will add to the enjoyment of the dance.
A personal contact with the elders, who happily offer their wisdom, might enrich your village visit. You will also be able to visit the Maasai homes, known as Bomas. These are tiny structures with thatched roofs, and the Maasai women are in charge of building them. They start with a framework of timber poles and weave smaller branches together to create a structure.
This is then coated with a mud, grass, cow dung, urine, and ash combination. The men help build the house, but it is their job to erect the protective fencing surrounding the community to keep lions and other predators away from the animals.
You may also be asked to attend a traditional wedding, other rites of passage such as warrior ceremonies, or to see the village women make the exquisite beaded jewelry for which both tribes are famous.
Kenyan Bomas
Bomas of Kenya takes you on an expedition of a cultural center in Lang’ata, Nairobi, presenting you to Kenya’s 23 major tribes and their houses. This cultural centre was established in 1971 and offers tourists a vivid imagery of a number of ethnic tribes that exist in Kenya and their unique ways of life; both in ancients time and present day. The name “Bomas” translates to “homestead,” and there are numerous traditional mud houses, each representing one of Kenya’s major ethnic groups. Each traditional house is constructed in accordance with the original traditional architecture of an African home as established by the ancestors.
When visiting Kenya’s Bomas, visitors may expect to see acrobatic acts and traditional dances from local tribes such as Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luhya, Taita, Masai, Kamba, Kisii, Kuria, Mijikenda, and Luo.
Maasai Communities at Loita Plains in Narok.
The Maasai are among Africa’s few indigenous tribes whose culture has not been lost. The Maasai are a strong and self-assured tribe known for their fearless warriors. They stand out due to their brightly coloured clothing, jewellery, and spear-wielding habit. The Maasai rely solely on their cattle and, as a result, live a nomadic life in search of pasture/water. The Maasai live in villages or small settlements that might have 8 to 15 homes. The villages are guarded from predators by thorn fences and shrubs.
The majority of tourists that visit the Maasai Mara make a stop at Loita Plains near Narok. A Guide leads guests to the Maasai homesteads during this stop. Tourists can assist the Maasai in caring for their goats, sheep, and cattle while staying with them. There is also an opportunity to meet the elders, where tourists may learn more about the Maasai history and culture. You may spend the evening with the Maasai and listen to folk music, tales, or dance around the campfire.
The Luo Community in Kenya.
The Luo are among Kenya’s three major tribes. The party left South Sudan and proceeded to Kenya through Uganda. The majority now reside in Kisumu or the surrounding Nyanza province, which is near to Lake Victoria. You will not only experience the Luo people’s rich culture, but you will also see Lake Victoria and the Kit-Mikayi. Kit-Mikayi is a rock structure of significant historical significance for the Luo people. Many villages still come to this rock to make offerings and pray.
The Predominant Islamic Community in Lamu.
Lamu is Kenya’s oldest town on the seashore. It is an archipelago made up of several islands, including Kiwayu. Lamu is a primarily Swahili and Muslim town in Kenya, making it one of the finest sites to experience Swahili culture. It’s also a fantastic site to learn about the lifestyle of the first Arab traders, who arrived in the 11th century. They still utilise Dhows to navigate the Indian Ocean and donkeys on the island.
On a routine visit, travellers spend time exploring the town’s tiny alleys before venturing off to explore the gorgeous beaches of the several islands. Swimming with dolphins and other water sports are also available at Lamu. You would have found stunning landscapes, old structures, and learned a lot about the history of the Swahili language/culture by the conclusion of your stay to the archipelago.
Visit the Turkana and El Molo Communities.
The Turkana, like the Maasai, live in northern Kenya and are pastoralists. Because the region where they reside is dry, they must migrate from place to place in search of new pasture and water for their animals. As climate change and soil degradation grow more prevalent, the Turkana are gradually embracing other means of subsistence. They can currently be seen working in towns or as fisherman on Lake Turkana. Visiting Turkana will provide an incredible cultural experience akin to that of the Maasai. A trip to Lake Turkana would be completed without paying a visit to the endangered El Molo tribe.
Encounter the Kamba Tribe in Machakos.
Community cultural tours in Kenya will give you an opportunity to encounter the Kamba ethnic tribe in Kenya. The Kamba are one of Kenya’s most famous and aggressive tribes. The majority of them dwell in Machakos town. This town is becoming a significant tourist destination, and much development work has been done in recent years. Recently, a complete national park was built near Machakos, where travellers may see some of Kenya’s famed wildlife.
