Meet the Kamba

The Kamba are a Bantu ethnic group who account for 11.4% of the population in Kenya and live in the semi-arid Eastern Province. They speak the Kikamba language.

In Kamba culture, the family plays a central role in the community. The man is usually engaged in trading, hunting, cattle-herding or farming, while the woman works on their plot of land, supplying the bulk of the food consumed by her family. It is the mother's role to bring up the children. Grandparents help with the less strenuous chores around the home. Older women continue to work the land, as this is seen as a source of independence and economic security.

Kamba believe that God (Mulungu) made the first pair of husband and wife, and brought them out of a hole in the ground. Man was originally made to live forever, but the chameleon, which Mulungu sent to announce this news, lingered on the way and stammered in delivering this message. Meanwhile, Mulungu sent a weaverbird, which flew swiftly and told the people that they would henceforth die and disappear like the roots of the aloe tree. Then man began to die. But death is not the master of man, since he reproduces and thus counteracts the effect of death. The Kamba believe in an afterlife including the world of spirits (Aimu) and reincarnation. Further, ritual belief in witchcraft and magic is very prevalent. Ironically, the most common magic is that used to counteract the effect of harmful witchcraft.

Naming is an important aspect of the Kamba people, and the children are named for/after time or events surrounding their birth. Traditionally the Kamba did not name after living ancestors; as their superstitions believed that this was thought to be a curse upon the living namesake to wish them dead.

The Kamba people's love of music and dance is evidenced in their spectacular performances at many events in their daily lives or on occasions of regional and national importance. Dances are usually accompanied by songs composed for the occasion.

Traditionally, Kamba men wore leather short kilts made from animal skins or tree bark. They wore copious jewelry, mainly of copper and brass. It consisted of neck-chains, bracelets, and anklets. The women traditionally wore knee-length leather or bark skirts, embellished with bead work, as well as necklaces made of beads. They shaved their heads clean, and wore a head band intensively decorated with beads. Traditionally, both men and women wore leather sandals, though while at home or working in their fields they remained barefoot.

Photo credit: Brian Wood