Celebrating our shared past, present, and future
Dating back centuries, the stories and traditions of the peoples of Kenya are some of the most fascinating in the world. They have enriched the country through social, economic, political and cultural activities, each with their own unique stories. Today, 44 communities are officially recognized by the government, and are classified into three linguistic groups: the Bantu, the Nilotic and the Cushitic speakers. The National Museums of Kenya holds objects telling the stories of the communities, which represent the country's ethnic diversity and vibrant cultures. Many of the cultural practices are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. This exhibit celebrates the country’s rich heritage through the Njemps community.
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Origin and migration
There are two theories that explain the origin of the Njemps. One theory suggests that they came from a section of the Samburu, called Il-Doigolo, in the mid-eighteenth century.
The other theory proposes that they are a remnant of one of the Il-Oikop/Il-kwavi Maasai, who were defeated by Ilkapi Maasai. They settled around the south and east of Lake Baringo, where they became sedentary agriculturalists.
Social and political structure
Traditionally the family was the smallest social unit among the Njemps. All family members had different roles to play. Men would normally fish, farm, hunt, herd and protect the whole community. Women, on the other hand, would take care of the children and the homestead, and make pots for their own use. Children would help their parents with domestic chores.
HeadrestNational Museums of Kenya
Role of elders
The Njemps had a council of elders, who were responsible for settling quarrels, offering sacrifices, and conducting ceremonies.
Economic activities
The Njemps have long practiced farming and fishing. They keep small herds of cattle, goats and sheep. They also gather honey from large tree trunks. Men traditionally also engaged in hunting game, to supplement their diet, but hunting is illegal in Kenya today.
Canoe (1971-02)National Museums of Kenya
Fishing in Lake Baringo
This fishing canoe (Kaldich) was made by men from ambach wood and tied together using wild sisal (Rapai). Men would sit on the light pieces of ambach wood and use two wooden paddles to move the canoe on Lake Baringo, where they fished.
Hand paddleNational Museums of Kenya
Wooden paddles
These are canoe paddles made from kaemai wood. They were made by men and used for paddling ambach canoes while fishing on Lake Baringo.
Digging WoodNational Museums of Kenya
Farming and irrigation
This wooden hoe was used for digging by the Njemps, who practice farming along Lake Baringo. Since part of the area is usually dry and has unreliable rainfall, the Njemps use irrigation to stimulate crop growth.
Honey BarrelNational Museums of Kenya
Honey gathering
This traditional wooden barrel with cowhide and twisted fiber straps was used for storing honey. Men harvested honey and put it into the container. Honey was then carried home for use in other various activities like making beer or eating.
Njemps Armed Warrior by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Njemps warrior
A Njemps warrior wearing a lion mane headdress, indicating his status. He holds a shield, spear and axe.
ArrowNational Museums of Kenya
Men hunted and protected the community
This barbed arrow is made from iron, sticks, and feathers. It was used by men for hunting wild animals, and as a weapon when they were attacked.
ClubNational Museums of Kenya
Hunting for meat
This club (eng'udi), made from salabani wood, was carved by a Moran or an older man using a panga and a penknife. It would have been thrown at animals' legs to put them down.
Clothing and ornaments
The Njemps share many cultural traits with other Maa-speaking communities, especially in their mode of dressing. They make clothes and ornaments from leather, beads, brass and copper among other items. Different clothes and ornaments are worn to indicate status among members of the community.
Ear PlugNational Museums of Kenya
Children's ear plugs
These wooden earplugs (sura), with holes at the centre, are made from Labusekeil wood. They were made and worn on the earlobes by young boys and girls. At the age of six (Libatin Awari), the earlobes were cut and the plugs inserted.
earringsNational Museums of Kenya
Colorful beads
A pair of bead earrings (oIchonyi onkiya) sewn on leather and worn on each earlobe by married women.
EarringNational Museums of Kenya
Copper earrings
Copper earrings made by a blacksmith.
earringsNational Museums of Kenya
Men's ornament
This is an earring made from copper wire, coiled over an iron rod and worn by old men as an ornament.
SkirtNational Museums of Kenya
Beaded skirt
This kind of skirt (Olekesena) was made from goat skin (or cowhide), decorated with beads. Women would scrape off the hair from the goat skin and make it supple by rubbing sheep fat mixed with red ochre. Then colorful beads would be sown on. It was worn by women.
Pair SandalsNational Museums of Kenya
Sandals
This is a cowhide sandal (nkamuka) that has a double sole and coil of cowhide on the straps for decoration. These were made by men and worn by everybody.
Recreation
Music and chewing tobacco were popular recreation activities. This musical flute (masilingi) is made from iron obtained from used water pipes. It consists of two carefully crafted holes, shaped to help direct the passage of air to produce the desired sound. It was used and played by young men, while herding livestock, as a form of leisure.
Tobacco boxNational Museums of Kenya
Old men loved their tobacco
This tobacco box (ilkidong) is made from a black plastic pipe with cow hide ends and a handle. It was made by old men and the bead work done by their wives. Old men used it to keep tobacco that they chewed for leisure.
Celebrating Kenya's communities today
Many of the cultural practices of the Njemps are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. The heritage and culture of the Njemps community, along with the more than 44 communities in Kenya, continues to fascinate and inspire. The National Museums of Kenya invites everyone to celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of all communities which makes up this great nation.
Learn more about the National Museums of Kenya by visiting our website.
Exhibit Curator: Philemon Nyamanga, Cultural Heritage Department. pnyamanga@museums.or.ke
Bibliography and research
1. Fedders A, Salvadori C. Peoples and cultures of Kenya. Nairobi: Transafrica and London: Rex Collings, 1980.
Photography and Creative Direction: Gibson Maina and Muturi Kanini. Gibs Photography
Exhibit Layout: Agnes Mbaika Kisyanga and Barnabas Ngei.
