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Kenya Tribes
There are
over 40 different tribes in Kenya. These tribes are of different sizes ranging
from those that have millions of members to smallest tribe – the El Molo that
have only 300 members.
Most of
the large tribes like the Kalenjin, Luhya and Mijikenda are comprised of
smaller sub groups. The Kenyan tribes are categorized by the language they
speak. The three main language groups are the Bantu, Nilotes and Cushites.
A vast
majority of Kenyans are fluent in more than one language. They speak their
mother tongue, the national language Kiswahili and English which is an official
language in the country.
Ethnic
identity in Kenya is very prominent with most people identifying themselves
first with their ethnic nations then Kenya second. The ethnic identity
determines political choices, employment rates and marriage.
BANTU:
Eastern Bantu:
Kikuyu
Akamba
Meru
Embu
Tharaka
Mbere
Mikikenda
Swahili
Pokomo
Segeju
Taveta
Taita
Western
Bantu
Kisii
Kuria
Luhya
NILOTES:
Plains Nilotes:
Maasai
Samburu
Teso
Turkana
Elmolo
Njemps
Highland Nilotes:
Kalenjin
Lake
River Nilotes:
Luo
CUSHITES:
Rendille
Somali
Boran
Gabbra
Orma
Boni
Points
of interest:
Kikuyu – The largest ethnic community in
Kenya
Mikikenda – Comprised of nine sub groups;
Duruma, Digo, Kambe, Chonyi,
Giriama, Rabai
Swahili – The community that gave Kenya its national language
Kiswahili
Luhya – The second largest ethnic community.
Has several sub tribes.
Bukusu, Maragoli, Isukha, Idakho,
Wanga, Tiriki, Tachoni
Maasai – the most famous Kenyan tribe.
Renowned for their well preserved culture.
Elmolo – The smallest ethnic community in Kenya. Comprised of 300
individuals.
Njemps
– One of the smallest tribes in
Kenya. They occupy a hilly island in Lake Baringo.
Kalenjin – The Kalenjin community has several sub tribes.
Sabaot, Nandi, Kipsigis, Tugen,
Pokot, Marakwet, Keiyo, Sengwer,
Somali
– The Somali community are
predominantly Islamic. Over 95% of Somalis are Muslims.
