Everything You Need to Know About the Samburu Tribe

The Samburu Tribe

The Samburu people are a tribe living in North-Central Kenya, who are thought to be around 300,000 strong. A tribe deeply steeped in tradition and religion. The Samburu tribe are closely related to Maasai people, of which the Samburu parted ways with back in the 15th century, before settling in the Samburu Reserve, where they still reside today. To this day, both the Samburu tribe and the Maasai speak very similar languages, both derived from Maa.

Known worldwide for their distinctive red body paint, decorative, brightly coloured beaded dresses and warrior traditions, the Samburu people are a fiercely independent tribe and hugely proud of their culture.

The Samburu tribe’s way of life is greatly influenced by that of their livestock: the tribe’s male members are responsible for their livestock, which includes cattle, goats, sheep, and camels, whilst the women hold the responsibility of milking the cattle. These livestock are integral for the tribe’s survival, as their diet largely consists of milk, blood, and meat, however, meat is only eaten on special occasions. This diet is supplemented by wild fruit and vegetables that are grown in and around the Samburu Reserve and gathered daily, which are often used to make soup.

Whilst many tourists from the Western world may find the consumption of blood alarming, this practice is one that has continued for thousands of years and is one of many historical customs the Samburu people practice. The extraction of blood from the tribe’s cattle is not through the death of their cattle, rather, the jugular of the cow is slightly cut to allow a small amount of blood to be released into a small cup. This wound is then promptly sealed.

Samburu Tribe Traditions

As a patrilineal and polygynous society, the Samburu tribe are a society in which the men of the tribe can have multiple wives and typically receive property and other similar inheritance through the male line, rather than through that of the female or maternal line. The importance placed on the males of the families is signified through several practices, including rite of passage traditions such as circumcision, a practice that signifies a boy becoming a man and warrior, or Moran, and the man’s subsequent commitment to the warrior traditions.

Many of the traditions of the Samburu tribe surround their brightly coloured, eye-catching cultural dress. Lip plates are worn by the women of the tribe, and are seen as a true symbol of beauty, as well as that of maturity, as these plates are not adorned by the girls. Further features of cultural dress include the unique and prominent beadwork, which is a hugely important aspect of Samburu tradition. Used to decorate clothing, jewellery and other important objects, girls first receive their beaded necklaces from their fathers in a Beading Ceremony, which again, is a sign that a girl has now become a woman.

Aside from traditions concerning the Samburu people’s appearance, Samburu folklore is heavily guided by music, dance, and storytelling. These practices are integral elements of day-to-day life and are particularly pertinent during special occasions. Used to express emotions, celebrate milestones, and pass on traditions through generations, these elements of the people’s way of life are one that has enabled many of the Samburu traditions to remain as steadfast as they have over their thousands of years of the tribe’s rich history.

The Religious Beliefs of The Samburu Tribe

Finally, the society’s beliefs and traditions are largely influenced by religion, and they are highly religious people. The people of the Samburu tribe are polytheistic, which means that as a society, the tribe’s people believe in a supreme being, or God, of which they refer to as Nkai. As well as this supreme, the people hold the belief of several lesser spirits. These beliefs largely influence the storytelling tradition, with these spirits featuring heavily in these stories and folklore.

The Samburu men, women and children strongly believe that Nkai will inflict a punishment on a tribe-person following instances of disrespect. If disrespect occurs, it is believed Nkai is the being that decides whether a ‘curse’ is inflicted.
Visiting The Samburu Tribe
Due to the unique and fascinating way of life that the Samburu people follow, it is very common that tourists from the Western world are hugely interested in visiting the tribe. Whilst many ancient tribes are known to be protective of their privacy and fearful of visitors from outside of the tribe, the Samburu people are very hospitable. Welcoming visitors and tourists who visit the reserve on game drives and safaris, or even on volunteering expeditions, and several villages are known to offer tourists insight into their day-to-day lives. Many of the tribe welcome tourists into their home, with many women of the Samburu tribe taking this opportunity to show their beaded jewellery and an insight into their home.

Many guides that educate visitors about the Samburu tribe are Samburu warriors themselves, that have been expertly trained by tour operators. This ensures that the education offered to tourists that visit the tribe is considered, accurate and respectful, offering visitors a natural and authentic insight of the tribe’s fascinating customs.

Whilst the tribe are welcome to visitors, it’s also important to be aware of the tribe’s much-guarded independence. If visiting the reserve and Samburu villages, whether by game drive or through a volunteering experience, it’s integral to respect their wishes. This often means that no photographs should be taken unless permission is given, and to ensure that the people of the Samburu tribe do not feel like they are being exploited as purely a tourist attraction. The tribe are very eager to educate visitors about their way of life, rather than being a spectacle, and so visitors should act with respect and with and openness to learn about their culture and their land within the Samburu Reserve.

The Samburu Reserve

Established in 1985, the Samburu Reserve, where the Samburu tribe live, is a game reserve situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’Iro river. The reserve is one rich in wildlife, and is home to a range of Africa’s elephants, leopards, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras: just to name a few. Not only does the Samburu Reserve house these beautiful animals, but some of the world’s most endangered species too, including the Grévy’s zebra and Somali ostrich. For any avid bird watchers looking to visit the area, the Reserve is also home to around four-hundred-and-fifty species of birds, making this a dream destination for many twitchers.

Thousands of people travel to the Samburu Reserve every year to marvel at the destination’s beauty, where visitors can enjoy game drives, walking safaris and a range of cultural experiences that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world.

The best time of year to visit the Samburu Reserve entirely depends on your reasons for visiting, as the reserve can be visited all year round. Most months offer gorgeous sunshine and blue skies which is perfect to enjoy game drives and see the reserve’s inhabitants exploring their environment. The best place to spot the wildlife during the dry season is around the Ewaso Ng’Iro river, as due to the absence of rainfall, animals congregate here to drink.

Accommodation choices are possible in a range of styles and costs. For information on visit the reserve and the Samburu people, contact your ARP Africa Travel tour consultant, or click below.