Turkana Tribe

The second largest pasotral tribe in Kenya, the Turkana are nomadic (move from place to place).  They live in northern Kenya around Lake Turkana.  In 1975 the lake was named after the them.  Their land is mostly dry desert regions and they depend on the rainy seasons for survival.  Because water is so scarce in the area, they often fight with other tribes over territory.  They are known to be very aggressive and dangerous.  Traditional beliefs of the Turkana have hardly been affected by western civilization.  The Turkana pray to Akuj for rain during the dry season.  Akuj is their god and they will make animal sacrifices hoping to please it.

Like most indigenous people, cattle are precious to them.  The cows provide them with food and a higher status.  Other animals such as, camels, donkeys, goats and sheep are kept by them.  Being nomadic people, they are constantly searching for better land and more water.

Very colorful people,  they dress themselves up with necklaces and bracelets.  Decorations are made with brown, red and yellow colors.  Men cover their heads with mud and paint it blue with feathers.  They tattoo their bodies to show that they have killed an enemy. 

Something different from the other tribes in Africa, the Turkana do not allow circumcision among its people.  Women are only considered adults after they are married and men can marry as many wives as he can afford.  In the Turkana tribe, a married woman will wear different type of jewelry then a single woman.