The Samburu Tribe of Africa

The Samburu Tribe of Africa

The Samburu people live in a very beautiful, sparsely populated Samburu County of Northern Kenya with abundant wildlife.

The Samburu people are closely related to the Maasai tribe who also live in East Africa and just like the Maasai, they are semi-nomadic people. The Samburu people are still very traditional and have not parted with old customs as compared to the Maasai.

Cattle, as well as goats, sheep, and camels, play a vital role in the Samburu way of life and culture. The Samburu are highly dependent on their livestock for survival. Their diet comprises mostly of milk and occasionally blood from their cows. Their diet is also supplemented with vegetables, roots, and tubers that are made into soup.

The traditional dress of the Samburu tribe is a striking red cloth wrapped like a skirt and a white sash. This is adorned with many colorful beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets, and necklaces. Each piece of jewelry worn represents the status of the wearer.

The Samburu tribe settlements are called manyattas. The tribe also practices gerontocracy which gives the elders the power to rule the tribe. Until a male or female child undergoes traditional circumcision, he or she is considered a child.

Due to their abundant wildlife, they welcome lots of visitors. The Samburu National Reserve is located on the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya.

In modern times, the Samburu people have come under pressure to find a permanent settlement, which according to them; will disrupt their nomadic way of life.

Written by AFRITRYBE