Culture is a way of life of a given community. Kenya is made up of 42 tribes all co-existing in harmony. Any tourist in search of cultural diversity then Kenya is the place to visit. Some of these communities have clung so much on to heir culture that modernization has not been a threat to their cultural way of life. The maasai are the perfect example of this together with their cousins the samburu and turkana. It’s amazing that one had to kill a lion to be initiated into adult hood. Young maasai men/ morans would hunt a lion and kill literally with just a spear. The government had to intervene for conservation measures that this cultural way of life had to be done away with otherwise the king of the jungle would be an endangered species. The maasais are very entertaining and the best part is that they engage their audience while singing their traditional songs. Jumping five feet into the sky with their spears at hand is one experience you would never wish to miss in a lifetime. Drinking milk and blood form a cow is one of their delicacies. You can catch up with them in the maasai mara while enjoying a game drive

The Luhya community and the kalenjin almost have the same cultural practices in circumcision. They take the youngsters in the forest where they are circumcised with a sharp blade, the slightest cry is not allowed. In the forest they will stay for 3- 4 weeks, healing and being taught ways of behaving like men in the community. Ululation, songs and dances characterize the passing out of these brave men from the forest and being welcomed into the community as strong young men. Bull fighting is another phenomenon that one would die for, the luhyas engage their bulls in a fierce-some fight. The strong and mighty bulls are brought together for a challenge while the crowd cheers in support of their favorite bull, hitting bells and dancing. The luo is another community that engages in an activity termed as ‘tero-buru’. In this ritual, the community gathers to mourn the deceased, usually a great man in the community. They fight the evil spirits that have befallen on the deceased family. A member of the community will hold a shield and a spear and literally fight the spirits that will be invisible to the rest of us. In marriage ceremonies, some communities literally steal their bride from her family and whisk her away into her new home. Visit Kenya and experience much more stories/ lifestyles on many other cultural ways of life of the various communities

Atsiay Martin Elkana