The Kamba tribe
Artisans of fine Kenya Art & Crafts
The Kamba people (also called the Akamba) are a Bantu ethnic group who live in the semi-arid Eastern province of Kenya, stretching east from Nairobi, towards the Tsavo and north east to Embu, Kenya. In the mid-eighteenth century, a large number of Akamba pastoral groups moved eastwards towards the Tsavo and Kibwezi areas to the coast. This migration was the result of extensive drought and lack of pasture for their cattle. They settled in the Mariakani, Kisauni and Kinango areas of the coast of Kenya, creating the beginnings of urban settlement. They are still found in large numbers in these towns, and have been absorbed into the cultural, economic and political life of the modern-day Coast Province.
Kambas make up about 11% of Kenya's population and they speak the Kamba (or Kikamba) language. They were involved in the long distance trade during the pre-colonial period. They have specialist skills in woodcarving and basketry. They are also involved in other activities such as hunting, farming and pastoralism.
Culture & Lifestyle
In Kamba culture, the family is central to the life of the community. Before marriage, a man pays a bride price, known as dowry made inform of cattle, sheep and goats, to the family of the bride. The man, who becomes the head of the family, undertakes one of the economic activities popular among the community, such as trading, hunting, cattle-herding or farming. He is known as Nau, Tataor Asa. The woman works on her land, which she is given upon joining her husbands household. She supplies the bulk of the food consumed by her family. She grows maize, millet, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beans, pigeon peas, greens, arrow root and cassava. It is the mother's role to raise the children. The mother is known as Mwaitu.
Very little distinction is made between children of one's sister or brother. They address their uncle or aunt as tata (father) or mwaitu(mother). Children often move from one household to another with ease, and are made to feel at home by their parents' siblings. Grandparents, Susu and Umau help with the less strenuous chores around the home such as rope-making, tanning leather, cleaning calabashes and making arrows. Older women continue to work the land, as their source of food, independence and economic security.
Naming is an important aspect of the Akamba people. Traditionally, Akamba children were named after time or events surrounding their birth. Children are often affectionately called Musumbi (King), and Mueni (visitor). Nduku is a name given to a baby girl born at night and Mutuku is a baby boy born at night. Children are also named after a living or departed relative, depending on the parents' relationship with the person.
The Kamba people are renowned for their exceptional wood carving and basketry skills. Their unique sculptures and weaved sisal baskets are sold in many shops, curio shops, gift shops and galleries in major cities around Kenya and abroad. The carving is done by the men while Kamba women weave and decorate the fine work in baskets and pottery. Kambas are also very active in the country's politics. Several notable leaders, politicians, businessmen as well as professional men and women are direct descendants of these itinerant pastoralists. Currently the vice president honorable Kalonzo Musyoka is a Kamba.
Religion
Many Kamba people are Christians, however some still practice the old traditional beliefs. The Akamba people believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God, Ngai or Mulungu, who lives up in the sky, yayayani. God is also referred to as Asa or the Father. He is perceived as the omnipotent creator of life on earth and as a merciful, if distant, entity.
Music
The Akamba people's love of music and dance is evidenced in their impressive performances at events in their daily lives and during special occasions. In their dances they display agility and athletic skills, as they perform acrobatics and remarkable body movements. Dances are usually accompanied by songs composed for the occasion (marriage, birth, nationall holiday) and reflect the traditional structure of the Kikamba song, sung on a pentatonic scale. The singing is lively and tuneful. Songs are composed satirizing deviant behavior, anti-social activity or love. The Akamba have famous work songs, such as Ngulu Mwalala, sung while they are digging. Herdsmen and boys have different songs, as do the young people and old.
Food
Kambas are farmers and their staple food is corn mixed with beans or peas, as these can be dried, stored and eaten during the frequent droughts. Corn is also ground to make ugali, a popular food in Kenya. During the rainy seasons and along the river beds, they grow fruits and vegetable such as cabbage, collards, bananas, mangoes, oranges and other tropical edibles. Goat meat, chicken and beef are a popular food among the Kamba and Kenyans in general.
Other ethnic tribes of Kenya