The society of Kenya is primarily divided into three major linguistic communities: Cushitic and Bantus (67%), Nilotic (30%), and Arab Kenyan and European, Asian speakers. Ethnicity is a significant issue in Kenya due to the presence of over 40 ethnic groups in this East African country. Kenya is a culturally and ethnically diverse country, with a unique set of traditions and cultures.
Kenya has earned an official position as the English language alongside Swahili, which is widely spoken in Kenya. Swahili, the birthplace of the Mijikenda tribe, is heavily influenced by the interaction of Persian and Arab traders. The Bantu people, who depend predominantly on regular farming for their livelihood, rely on crops such as coffee and tea, as well as staple foods. The Bantu group comprises tribes such as Mijikenda, Meru, Kisii, Luhya, Akamba, and Kikuyu, making it the largest ethnic community in Kenya.
You will get to see many of the tribes mentioned below and head out on a jungle safari in Kenya. The Maasai people are globally recognized for their cultural heritage. The Nilotes, mainly living a nomadic lifestyle, are known to be hunters and warriors. This group of people consists of the tribes Kalenjin, Samburu, Turkana, Luo, and Maasai. The Nilotes are also a significant community found in Kenya.
1. Gikuyu
Mt. Kenya is believed to be the residence of ‘Ngai’, a deity worshipped by the Kikuyu community. The Kikuyus are well-known for being large-scale farmers of cash crops such as coffee and tea. They form 22% of the population in Central Kenya and are one of the most populous Bantu groups in Kenya, with their own set of traditions and cultures, making them one of the most populous tribes in Kenya.
People of Kikuyu ethnicity are said to have a tendency to be aggressive in their business endeavors and inclined towards pursuing financial gain. In the urban areas where the majority of Swahili and English speakers reside, the Kikuyu language has managed to maintain its significance. The practice of paying a bride price is an essential aspect of their culture. A Kikuyu man is allowed to marry more than one woman if he can meet their needs.
2. Luhya Tribe
The gods they worship traditionally in the fertile western region of Kenya are known as Khakaba Were or “Nyasaye”. The Luhya sub-tribes, including Wanga and Tiriki, Tachoni, Samia, Masaaba, Marama, Marachi, Kisa, Khayo, Kabras, Isukha, Idakho, Gisu, Batsotso, Banyore, Banyala, Maragoli, Bukusu, each practice their own dialect of the Luhya language. This group consists of over 18 sub-tribes, making it a majorly based Bantu group in western Kenya. The Luhyas are the second largest tribe among the tribes in Kenya, forming 14% of the Kenyan population.
Ugali is a popular traditional dish among the Luhya tribe, and they are also known for their love of food. Bull-fighting is a popular sport within the tribe as well. Male circumcision is an important ritual in most sub-Luhya tribes, symbolizing the transition from boyhood to manhood.
3. Kisii
Circumcision is still practiced as a mark of initiation into adulthood for boys. Although this ritual has been outlawed in some parts, it is still practiced by this tribe. The practice of female circumcision has been carried out by this tribe mandatorily. Men in this tribe are allowed to have more than one wife and hold the highest authority in their families. Kisii families tend to live very closely and share daily activities such as cooking and farming. The people of this tribe live in the highly fertile highlands of Western Nyanza in Kenya. This tribe forms the 7th largest tribe in Kenya, making up 6% of the Kenyan population.
The practice known as ‘Matoke’ is extensively cultivated in their localities. The Kisii tribe in Kenya worships ancestral spirits and a supreme god called ‘Engoro’. Kisii culture is renowned for soapstone carvings, basketry, and pottery. Kisii people are often described as short-tempered.
4. Mijikenda
Mijikenda is considered as one of the important tribes in Kenya, having its birth in the Swahili culture in Kenya. The tribe resides in the coastal region of Kenya and has approximately 1,960,574 people. Mijikenda includes sub-tribes such as Ribe, Rabai, Kauma, Kambe, Jibana, Duruma, Chonyi, Digo, and Giriama. Mijikenda is a big Bantu tribe in Kenya, whose culture revolves around age-sets and clans comprising of nine sub-tribes.
Clan Mijikenda is typically a group of several families who share a sacred place known as kaya, where they engage in religious conduct such as sacrifices and prayer-like rituals to honor their ancestors.
Mijikenda gastronomy encompasses fish and other oceanic delicacies. The fundamental sustenance of this ethnic group is wali, a concoction crafted with rice and coconut milk. The Digos, specifically the Mijikenda community, are renowned for their exceptional culinary skills.
5. Maasai People
People can visit the Maasai tribe in Kenya, which is one of the most popular tribes in Kenya known for their closeness to their history and culture, as well as their harmonious integration of modern ways of life. The Maasai people fascinate both people from near and far with their traditional regalia, including their red-stripped shukas. There are many things to do and see in Kenya, especially in the northern and southern parts, where the Maasai people live.
The Maasai people, who are semi-nomadic, need to find new grazing land for their cattle because they are considered richer. The lives of the Maasai people revolve around their cattle, which is their primary source of food. The enclosure, called Enkang, is protected by a fence or sharp thorn bushes. Maasai families live in a hub of ten to twenty tiny huts.
The people of this Kenyan tribe are known for their height. They are known to become warriors, developing endurance and courage, and learning tribal customs during a certain period of isolation, which is a critical rite of passage for men who live as Maasai warriors. They call it ‘Enkai’ and believe in a supreme god, the Masai or Maasai people of Kenya.
6. Luo
The Luo community, which is one of the largest tribes in Kenya, inhabits the western region (Nyanza) and depends on fishing as their main source of livelihood.
Luo people are well-known for their boasting and showing off. Additionally, they are also recognized for their mourning practices, where hired mourners are often paid to mourn. This unique aspect of the community is what sets them apart from others. Another distinguishing feature of Luo men is the removal of the lower six teeth during circumcision, which is an important tradition in this tribe.
The Kalenjin community comprises of eight sub-groups which include the Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot, Sabaot, and the Terik. The Kalenjin tribe ranks as the third largest ethnic community in Kenya, accounting for 12% of the total population.
The ‘Mirsik’ (traditionally fermented milk) of the Kalenjin tribe is well-liked in Kenya and other areas. Additionally, they are involved in cattle rearing. Moreover, they rely on extensive agriculture for their sustenance. The Kalenjin community resides in circular thatched huts made from curved young trees and a combination of mud and cow excrement.
‘The Running Clan’ is famously known for their exceptional athleticism. They revere a god named Asis (symbolized by the sun) and adhere to a monotheistic faith. The ritual of male circumcision is a customary tradition performed during the early teenage years of boys.
As you can observe, you have the opportunity to book a Kenya vacation package that allows you to delve into its abundant tribal heritage. The cultural abundance contributed by these tribes is opulent and constitutes a fundamental aspect of both the Kenyan and African identity. Nevertheless, the variety of tribes in Kenya occasionally results in conflicts among the prominent factions.