Kamba Beliefs, Folklore, and Magic
Discover the religious beliefs and creation story of the Kamba community
Kamba Metal Work by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Kamba
The Kamba community of eastern Kenya traditionally believed in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God, Ngai or Mulungu, who lived in the sky (Yayayani or Ituni).
Front ApronsNational Museums of Kenya
The traditional Kamba perceived the spirits of their departed ones, the Aimu or Maimu, as the intercessors between themselves and Ngai Muumbi Mwatwangi/Mulungu. They were remembered in family rituals, offerings and libations at individual altars.
Half gourdNational Museums of Kenya
The Kamba creation story
Like other communities the Kamba also has their own traditional creation story. They believed that their god, Mulungu, created a man and woman and placed them on a rock, Nzaui, where their footprints, including those of their livestock, can be seen to this day.
NeckbandNational Museums of Kenya
Mulungu then caused a great rainfall. From the many anthills around, a man and a woman came out. These were the initiators of the ‘spirits clan’- the Aimo. It so happened that the couple from heaven had only sons, while the couple from the anthill had only daughters.
Pubic ApronNational Museums of Kenya
Naturally, the couple from heaven paid dowry for the daughters of the couple from the anthill. The family and their cattle greatly increased in numbers. With this prosperity, they forgot to give thanks to their creator.
Dance outfitNational Museums of Kenya
Mulungu punished them with a great famine. This led to dispersal as the family scattered in search of food. Some became the Kikuyu, others the Meru, while some remained as the original people, the Kamba.
Medicine man's regalia by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Medicine and magic
Medicine men and women played a great role in the Kamba community, and each village had its own medicine man or woman. They prophesied, took part in rain making and officiated religious functions.
Medicine-Bead DecoratedNational Museums of Kenya
Illnesses were believed to be sent by spirits who were angry with the living, by black magic from some evil-disposed person, or contracted in a natural way, which was regarded as the least usual.
Medicine outfitNational Museums of Kenya
The medicine man through divination would ascertain the cause of the illness and give the right prescription. In case he was not able to, he could call an expert to cure that particular kind of illness.
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