Explore Kenya's Communities at Nairobi National Museum

Nairobi National Museum tells the story of Kenya's rich heritage. The museum's mission is to collect, preserve, study, document and present Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage.

The Hall of Kenya is dedicated to the country's unique tangible and intangible heritage. In this gallery Kenya's nature, culture and history meet. Six vitrines display key objects from the collection.

The Montonyi is a traditional headdress made by Maasai youths, preferably from big and colourful birds. Before a youth was circumcised, he would wander about the countryside with his friends, catching birds for his headdress. 

The Abuu is a musical intrument used by the Luo community. It is a combination of gourds leading to a horn at the tip. The gourds are held together by wax and ground bark of the Powo (Grewia) tree. The Abuu is blown during important ceremonies and used for entertainment.

Butterflies are among the most popular groups of insects; they are relatively large in size and beautiful. They are active during the day and rarely harmful to human activities. Butterflies and moths collectively belong to one major insect group.

Sambu or Sambut is a cloak made from the skins of Sykes monkeys (such as the stuffed one next to it) and decorated with pieces of black and white colobus skins. The cloak is worn by leaders of the Kalenjin people during important occasions and ceremonies. Please note that it is not sustainable to kill these animals.

Among the Swahili people, the Siwa was perceived as a symbol of unity, and Swahili rulers served as its sole guardians. The Siwa was also believed to have supernatural and magical powers.

Life amongst Kenyan communities is filtered through different stages. From birth, through youth to old age, death and transition into ancestry.

The gallery highlights Kenya’s history in three major phases; pre-colonial Kenya, period of colonial rule and independent Kenya. Key historical events that have shaped the lives of Kenyans are highlighted, including the Kenya-Uganda Railway.

Joy Adamson (1910 - 1980) was an illustrator, conservationist and author. She is known for her contribution to the conservation of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage, winning her international acclaim.

Joy’s paintings were published in 1975 in the book, The Peoples of Kenya, which remains a useful resource for anthropologists and others who seek information about Kenya’s traditional heritage.