Cultural Centres in Samburu
Umoja Uaso Women Cultural Village & Musuem
Shorlty before arriving at Archer’s Post, visitors to Samburu may be interested in visiting the Umoja Uaso Women Cultural Village and Museum, a novel centre that has been the subject of post-colonial feminism, women empowerment, the plight of nomadic communities in Kenya and, above all, a centre to interest and engage the outside world with the customs of the Samburu people. Today Umoja Cultural Centre is well-known hub that serves as a place for preserving, promoting, and sharing the engaging traditions, history, and customs of the Samburu Community.
The Samburu of North-Western Kenya are by appearances, customs and beliefs related closely to the Maasai of South-Western Kenya and are, as a matter of fact, considered part of the Maasai. Closely guarded and sometimes misunderstood, their highly organized society has strict delineations of the roles based on sexual orientation. Since days of yore, the Samburu society has been patriarchal. Males, who eventually take the lead role in the household and community are divided into one of either boys, warriors, or elders. Each belongs to a specific age-set.
And while today the system has been criticized by outsiders for being ridiculously old fashioned, maintaining antediluvian sex-role stereotypes, seemingly behind the curve, it was stood for millennia, instantiated by a need to thrive in a harsh homeland where most could not survive. The stock economy and nomadic life meant much walking, and the impression gained is one of quiet but constant movement by all and sundry. Typically, migrations took place every six weeks or so, the whole settlement moving for 10 or 15 miles, while at certain seasons cattle were driven for 50 or even 100 miles in search of pasture and elusive water.
For good living and functionality, the warriors traditionally took an active role, away from homestead, herding and watering of cattle and spend the rest of their vocation moving in groups about the countryside, finding something to interest them at distances as far as 100 miles. Individuals have been known to travel 70 miles in a day. Conversely, the woman, left to fend for themselves in the village, were responsible for building and maintaining the rondavels, gathering supplies and weaving the incritace bead ornaments their community is much-famous for.
Making ornaments is a major activity at Umoja Women Village, which brings the women together. The Samburu girls and women adorn beaded necklaces called mporros. These necklaces are stiff or ridged rather than relaxed and flowing. Social status is identified by the number of necklaces worn. Red beads are the most dominant accentuated with alternate patterns of black, yellow, black beads. Young women ready for marriage rub their necklaces with fat to make them glisten in sun. This, they believe, makes them more attractive to suitors. Once married, many a Moran (husband) will heap strands of beads upon their wives, so that after a few years she has barely space left around her neck for more strands.
This uniquely women only manyatta-inspirited cultural village, Umoja Center was inspired by a growing need to find creative ideas that honour the life of Samburu women and provide a self-sustaining source of income; in the male-dominated Samburu Community. The Samburu women, who wear a star shaped pendant on their foreheads as a reminder of their origins on the planet Venus, adopted the venture in earnest. Life in Umoja Cultural Village, like many others in Samburu daily life, points to the tribe’s distinct origins unique from other communities.
Open to all genders and people of all ages, Umoja Cultural Village offers a novel glimpse into the guarded ways of the Samburu Tribe – their history, rituals and intriguing cultures like the beaded jewelry project. Moreover, Umoja Village has some middle-budget furnished bandas that are a great starting-point from where trippers to Samburu County can explore its diversity. It is located near Archer’s Post and just 2 kms along the dirt road heading into Samburu National Reserve.
That Kenya has a rich cultural diversity needs no introduction. It is an invaluable blessing to the nation. To foster an understanding of this heritage, there are cultural centers around Kenya that provide insights into the tapestry of cultures and traditions in their regions. These centers preserve and celebrate traditional practices and customs amidst the shift towards modernization and globalization.
Index of Cultural Centres in Kenya
Baringo County - Mogotio Equator Center, Bomet County - Kipsigis Oasis Sanctuary Culture, Kaplelach Cultural Centre, Busia County - Kakapel Cultural Centre, Garissa County - Garissa Cultural Centre, Isiolo County - Gotu Cultural Centre, Malka Cultural Centre, Kakamega County - The Nabongo Mumia Centre, Kericho County - Kipsigis Cultural Museum, Kiambu County - Gikuyu Cultural Museum, Kirinyaga County - Thingira Cultural Centre, Lamu County - Swahili House Centre, Mosque College Lamu, House of Habib Swaleh, Machakos County - The Syokimau Cultural Centre, Makueni County - Makueni Cultural Center, Meru County - Murithi Mpuri Cultural Centre, Thiiri Centre, Mombasa County - Swahili Cultural Centre, Little Theatre Club, Bombolulu Cultural Centre, Ngomongo Villages, Muranga County - Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga, Nairobi County - Bomas of Kenya, Kenya Cultural Centre, The Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, Nakuru County - Bomas of Nakuru, Nandi County - Cheruiyot Ecosystem, Nyamira County - Otenyo Cultural Centre, Samburu County - Umoja Women Village, Tana River County - Tana Delta Cultural Center, Tharaka Nithi County - Ura Gate Meru
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Umoja Women Cultural Village
A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.
Know More About Samburu County…
Brief History Samburu County