Nanyuki: Communities from Northern Kenya have celebrated a year of tranquility with songs, food, and dance while calling for continued coexistence and equitable sharing of available resources. The various pastoral communities that have for generations endured resource-based conflicts assembled in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County, in a ceremony to mark the end of a peaceful year.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event dubbed Cushitic Cultural Day involved a procession in town before assembling at the Nanyuki NG-CDF Hall to showcase their cultural heritage. Participants, adorned with colorful attire representing Cushitic-speaking communities, displayed their way of living.
“We have embraced our ancestors’ way of dressing, and today we are showcasing varieties of items for the people to see our way of living. They are distinct from other communities,” said Jamila Mohammed, a participant of the festival.
Participants were drawn from Rendile, Samburu, Somali, Borana, Galle, Sekuye, Gabra, Maasai, Burji, and Swahili communities, each displaying traditional foods and artifacts. Ms. Ailo Waqo of the Bhuji community explained that women prepared various traditional cuisines to demonstrate their cultural heritage, with each meal having a unique purpose.
Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani attended the ceremony, commending the women for the initiative, noting that it would promote harmonious coexistence and preserve cultural heritages. “We have come here to remind ourselves about our traditional cuisine, dwelling and homestead setups, clothing, and artifacts that define our Cushitic communities,” said the Former CS.
Yatani emphasized the importance of promoting peace both in the diaspora and at native homes by avoiding vices such as cattle rustling and banditry, which have caused hostility among the pastoralists. “Nanyuki is a cosmopolitan town that hosts people from all corners of Kenya. This diversity should be our strength in building our united country for future generations,” he urged.
Organizers of the event, Dream Team Group, announced that it will be conducted annually as a forum to promote peace and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the community, including languages.
