Turkana festivalNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Turkana
The Turkana are one of the largest nomadic communities in Kenya, traditionally located around Lake Turkana. They are known for their basket weaving and the annual Lake Turkana Cultural Festival, which showcases the community's traditional ceremonial dances and costumes.
Turkana DanceNational Museums of Kenya
Traditional dance
Turkana women and men perform traditional dances wearing ceremonial costumes like these, made from animal skin and fitted with decorative beads. Here they are also wearing traditional beaded necklaces and coiled aluminium armbands.
Turkana FestivalNational Museums of Kenya
These men in traditional costume are preparing to perform a cultural dance.
Turkana DanceNational Museums of Kenya
Like other Kenyan communities, the Turkana are known for their traditional high-jumping dance, during which men jump as high as they can.
LegbellsNational Museums of Kenya
Leg bells
These leg bells were made by a blacksmith from scrap iron sewn onto khaki cloth, and used for dancing by both men and women. Worn below the knee, they were used especially at wedding ceremonies.
Head OrnamentNational Museums of Kenya
Head ornament
This is an ornament used to stick into a mud pack coiffure to hold ostrich feathers. It has a number of deep holes formed of string topped with woven fine copper wire. It was made and used only by men.
HeadrestNational Museums of Kenya
Ceremonial seating
During Turkana ceremonies, men usually sit on a headrest or stool in a semi-circular formation to perform traditional rituals.
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