The Samburu Community of Kenya

Celebrating our shared past, present, and future

Internationally known for their beautiful and colorful attire, the Samburu community were traditionally nomadic pastoralists. They speak the Maa language, and belong to the Nilotic ethnic group.

The power of Nkai and Laibon

Traditionally the Samburu believed in one God (Nkai), thought to reside in nature, making offerings and prayers important for rainfall and livestock. Diviners (Laibon) were believed to communicate with spirits through dreams and trances.

Pastoralists: cattle, sheep, and goats

The Samburu were mainly pastoralists, but in the past also hunted animals to supplement their food. Traditionally the men moved with their cattle herds in search of pasture and water, while the women did the milking.

Meet the Samburu and experience their culture

Experience the fascinating culture of the Samburu community at the Desert Museum, Nairobi National Museum and the annual Lake Turkana Festival.

The Butterfly People

The Samburu are sometimes referred to as 'The Butterfly People' due to their colourful ornaments, attire and hairstyles. Traditionally they made clothes and ornaments from animal skin, beads, shells and brass. Men dyed their hair with red ochre. Warriors (Morans) kept their long hair in braids, and dressed in more colourful attire than other members of the community. The women adorned themselves in beautiful multi-colored beaded necklaces, and other traditional jewelry.

Ochre-dyed plaited hair with bead ornaments

Young warriors (morans) would wear ornaments and dye their braided hair in red ochre.

Elephant tail necklace

Women's necklace made of elephant tail hair, each threaded with an old-style bead.

Colorful earrings

The beaded earrings were worn by attaching them over the head.

Ldungot patterned earrings

Beaded leather earrings with beads in triangles. This is an unusual pattern of decoration, called Ldungot. These earrings were worn only by wives of the Merisho (the oldest living age-set).

Coiled ceremonial earrings

Made with brass wire and coiled to the required shape, these beautiful earrings hang from the earlobes.

Ceremonial cloak worn by boys

A ceremonial goatskin cloak painted with red ochre and decorated with white cowries. It would have been worn over the shoulder by boys prior to being circumcised.

Belt worn by young morans

This colorful beaded belt was worn by young morans, and sometimes even given to their girlfriends as a token of their love.

Six stringed lyre

This lyre was made and played by boys (laiok) before they become warriors. The resonator was made from an old box, diaphragm of cowhide and strings of twisted cow sinew obtained from the cow's back.

Cloth worn by morans

The red ochre cotton cloth was worn by morans as a skirt while dancing during ceremonies.

In 2008, the National Museums of Kenya established the Desert Museum in Loiyangalani, to preserve and promote the unique cultures of the eight communities living around Lake Turkana region, namely: El Molo, Turkana, Pokot, Rendile, Samburu, Gabbra, Watta and Dassanach.