CULTURE AND  LIFE STYLE  OF KAMBA PEOPLE

   In kamba culture family  is a central to the life of the community. Before  marriage a man pay a bride price  made inform of cattle, sheep and  goats , to the family of the bride.In the rural kamba community , the man the man becomejs the head of the family and undertakes  an economic activity such as trading, hunting or cattle herding .He is known as Nau, Tata  or Asa.The woman works on the land she is given when she joins the  husband's household. she supplies the bulk of the food consumed by her family. when she grows millet, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, beans, pigeon peas, greens, arrow roots  and cassava.

kamba women on daily  chores wearing traditional clothes

    Very little distinction is made between  an individuals own children and the children of their sisters or brother. children address their uncle and aunt as tata (father) or mwaitu (mother). they 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. The older women continue to work in the land as their sources of food, independence and economic security.

        Naming is an important aspect of the Kamba culture. Traditionally Akamba children  were named after a time  or events surrounding their birth. children are often affectionately  called Musumbi (KING) and the mueni (VISITOR) . Nduku is a common name given to a baby  girl born at night while mutuku is given to a baby boy  born at night . Children can also be named after a living or departed relative depending on the parents relationship with the person.

    The Akamba tribe is renowned for their exceptional  wood carving and basketry skills.Their unique sculptures  and weaved sisal baskets are sold in curio shops and art gallery in Kenya s major cities and abroad. The men do the carving while kamba women weave and decorate the  fine work in baskets and pottery

      Many kamba people are Christians  however some still practice old traditional beliefs. The kamba people believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental god, Ngai or mulungu who lives in the sky (yayayani) This God is also referred  to as  Asa or the father. He is perceived as the omnipotent creator of the life on earth and as a merciful if distant entity.

       The Akamba people love of music and dance is evident in their impressive performances throughout their lives and during special occasions. They display agility and athletic skill as they perform acrobatics and remarkable body movements. their singing is lively and melodic . songs are composed satirizing deviant behavior, anti social activity or love. they have famous  work songs, such as Ngunu Mwalela, sung while digging.

            The akamba staple food  is isiyo also known as kitheli  maize mixed with beans or peas as this can be dried, stored   and consumed during the frequent droughts maize / corn is also ground to make ugali a popular Kenyan food. During the rainy     seasons and along the riverbeds , kambas grow fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, collards bananas mangoes, oranges and other  tropical edibles . Goat meat, chicken and beef are also popular food choices among the kamba people.

kamba womem from a mary go round(nzangule)

        Kamba were involved in long distance trade during pre colonial period. In  the mid eighteenth century  a large number of Akamba pastoral groups moved eastwards towards the tsavo  and kibwezi areas along the coast . These migration was as a result of extensive drought and lack of pastures for  their cattle. The kambas settled in mariakani, kisauni and kinango areas of the coast of kenya, creating the beginning of urban  settlement. They still reside in large numbers in these towns and have become absorbed into the cultural , economic and political life of the modern   day coast region.

         Furthermore kamba ladies are said to be the best and cutest   among other ethnics in kenya. Their ladies makes good wives since most of them have been raised up well also they have powerfull men and women in kenyan political dynasty.    









                                                                   special thanks to  peter nzioka
                                                                                                solomon mtua                               
                                                                                                Agnes