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 Digo community.
A look into the history and culture of the Digo community
The Digo are a Mijikenda community, who traditionally lived between Mombasa and the Kenyan Tanzanian border. They speak the Chidigo language.The Mijikenda are a Coastal Bantu community. They inhabit the region from the Tanzania border to the Sabaki and the Umba rivers. ‘Mijikenda’ means nine villages namely; Giriama, Digo, Duruma, Rabai, Kambe, Chonyi, Jibana, Kauma and Ribe. Each community speaks its own dialect. The Mijikenda originated from Shungwaya, a region in southern Somalia around the 17th century and settled along the coastal hinterlands in fortified villages called ‘kaya’. Today, 11 'makaya' are inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Migration and settlement
The Digo were the first to confront the Oromo invasion in Southern Somalia. They were forced to flee down the coast until they reached Shimba Hills, south west of Mombasa County where they built Kaya Kwale. Later some of them left Kaya Kwale and built Kaya Kinondo along the coast north of Gazi. Today, the 'Makaya' are conserved by the elders and promoted for cultural tourism.
Water collectorNational Museums of Kenya
Religion
The Digo historically believed in God (Mulungu) and ancestral spirits, to whom they regularly offered sacrifices and prayed for help. Digo witch doctors were consulted on health and spiritual matters. Today the majority of the Digo are Muslims.
Economic pursuits
Originally involved in sea trade with the Arabs, the Digo are now settled as farmers, fishermen and traders. Traditionally each clan had its own piece of land outside the kaya. Mainly men cleared the bush while some women hoed the fields.
BasketsNational Museums of Kenya
Selling fruits
This basket was made by men using palm fronds. It was used for carrying fruits to the market.
Blacksmith equipmentNational Museums of Kenya
Farming
This digging hoe was used by women for cultivation. The hoe handle is made from tomoko wood.
Today the Digo grow millet, cassava, coconut and rice. Their area often floods and is very fertile, making it ideal for rice farming – hence rice is their staple food.
Piece of Fish TrapNational Museums of Kenya
Fishing
This is a part of a fishing trap made by a male fundi (artisan). It was made by cutting Musumali wood into small strips, with a panga and a knife, and weaving them together.
Fish line and hookNational Museums of Kenya
This is a fish line. It was treated by rubbing raw wood of the chikwamba tree on it, to make it last longer.
Social structure
The Digo trace their descent matrilineally. Historically people progressed from childhood to elderhood through a series of grades. Between the ages of eight and twelve, boys were circumcised and initiated into the age-grade system called the rika. The rika was a group of circumcised males, ranging in age from about eight to fifty-two and over.
BurnishesNational Museums of Kenya
Political structure
Traditionally members of a senior age-set underwent an induction ceremony, where they were instructed on how to conduct rituals and customs. They then became a council of elders known as ’kambi’, and selected one of their wise and well-respected members to be their chairman. He was assisted by the members of the council and they would deliberate on matters brought before them, like cases of land dispute or witchcraft, and also mete out punishment such as fines, banishment and death. The council also officiated ceremonies.
Roofing MaterialNational Museums of Kenya
Making traditional huts
This is thatch made from coconut palm. The leaves were removed from the main leaf midrib, and the midrib was then used as the top of the thatching. Each small leaf was bent over the midrib, and the whole lot connected by over-stitching. It was made by the Digo women, while the men traditionally did the thatching.
The best and most watertight roofing is spaced with a 4 inch overlay between the midribs. The shape of each hut clearly indicates to the villagers who lives in it. The huts of elders are round, while those of other people are rectangular.
LadleNational Museums of Kenya
Objects for daily use
This is a ladle made of coconut shell, with a handle made from the wood of the mburi lakuni tree. It was made by men and used by women to ladle out food into individual dishes.
Traditionally the men collected various parts of the doum palm tree, which were useful for making items such as ropes, brooms, baskets, roofing and stools. They also did woodwork, fishing and trade.
Cooking PotNational Museums of Kenya
The women potters
This pot was kept for specific purposes like cooking fish, vegetables, and cakes made of rice flour and coconut milk. It was made by women potters, of whom they were only two or three per location. The women collected clay some miles away from a river in the Shimba Hills and modeled it into various shapes and sizes.
The pot was not placed on a mat, sherd or anything while in the process of manufacture. It was simply modeled and placed straight on the sand outside the hut. As the pot grew, it was turned round and round on the dry sand until an inverted cone of sand built up underneath it.
The art of pottery was handed down through generations and, in some cases, learnt from a potter. The pots were not sold in the market, nor did the potter make any pots ready in anticipation of customers; they were only made to order.
Pot CoverNational Museums of Kenya
Clay pot lid made and used by Digo women.
Pot SmoothiesNational Museums of Kenya
Tool
A mango seed used by Digo women potters for smoothing and scraping the insides of the pots.
Small Wooden FlaskNational Museums of Kenya
Flask
This is a small flask, which was made by a woman and used by children for keeping fat and meat. The cover is made of camel skin.
Pestle and MortarNational Museums of Kenya
Cooking for the family
This is a wooden mortar and pestle. It was used by women for pounding grains prior to grinding.
Traditionally the Digo have been considered some of the best cooks among the Kenyan communities. Wali (cooked rice) is a popular Kenyan food, and was a staple of the Mijikenda community. It is prepared with coconut milk, giving the rice a sweet taste. Fish and other seafood were also common in the Mijikenda cuisine.
BroomNational Museums of Kenya
Cleaning the house
A broom made of sticks obtained from the luhago tree. It was mainly used by Digo women for sweeping their houses.
Celebrating Kenya's communities today
Many of the cultural practices of the Digo are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. The heritage and culture of the Digo 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.
Exhibit Acknowledgements:
Learn more about the National Museums of Kenya by visiting our website.
Exhibit Curators:
Philemon Nyamanga,
Cultural Heritage Department.
philenyamanga@gmail.com
Photography and Creative Direction:
Gibson Maina and Muturi Kanini.
Gibs Photography
Acknowledgements
The National Museums of Kenya would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this exhibit:
Exhibit Layout: Agnes Mbaika Kisyanga, Barnabas Ngei and Hazel Sanaipei.
