By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya’s heritage is rich. It is so rich that one ethnic community can hold a cultural night every weekend and yet not exhaust the beauty that makes its people.

In recent years, cultural nights in urban centres have taken a life of their own: giving communities a forum to display what makes them who they are. They showcase their foods, clothes and traditions. Traditional songs and dances take centre stage.

The nights are named after the strongest aspect that identifies a particular community. For example, there are Mugithi, Mulembe, Kitwek, Kililimbi, Swahili and Maasai nights, among others.

After watching other communities showcase their tradition at organised forums, it was time for the Samburu to also come out and show Kenyans their culture.

The butterfly people
So last Saturday, they held the first ever Samburu Night, Ntemer, at the Carnivoire in Nairobi. Hundreds of people attended. But they were not just the Samburu; all of Kenya was represented.

Ntemer, which was organised by Samburu Professionals Association in support of the first university college in their county — Laikipia University College Maralal Campus.

The Samburu came in their unique outfits. Everyone everyone present either dressed in full colourful regalia or adorned special ornaments. Some covered themselves with the trademark red blankets, a wise decision for the Nairobi weather this July is dull.

The music was something else. There was no band like is often the case in such nights. Instead, the revellers sang and danced to traditional songs whose highlight was the occasional high jump by the morans.

The Samburus are referred to as the butterfly people because of their natural beauty and their love for bright colours.And indeed the Carnivore was rich in colour, especially colour red, which is the trademark and favourite colour of the colourful Samburu.

True culture
Kenyatta National Hospital boss Richard Lesiyampe said the night was important because it showcased the true culture of the Samburu.

“The night offered the people of Samburu a great opportunity to display the values of their culture through songs and story-telling,” he told The Standard after attending the colourful show that attracted people from all regions of Kenya.

Lesiyampe, who was one of the organisers of the event, said the Samburu’s respect for their culture has ensured the people live in harmony.

“Samburu culture has strong values that guide people to respect and obey tradition. It’s for this reason that there are almost zero cases of divorce in our community,” he said. Lesiyampe prides that unlike other nights, Samburu show was original in all aspects their menu not withstanding.

On the menu there was milk, soup and meat. There were also some traditional green vegetables and ugali.The last two were a later addition after the chefs were surprised that there was no mention of any other food like greens and starch in the menu.

The meat was prepared in seven different ways. There was Lkusuyati (a whole unskinned goat roasted over the fire) Lokuli (meat boiled and cooked in its fat), Ngiri na Pejo (roasted meat), nkiri na yara (boiled meat) and fried meat, among others.  Also, there was kule nairewa (fresh milk) and kule naoto (sour milk) and a display of blood mixed with milk.

At least the Turkana, Pokot, Rendille, Borana, Njemps and Maasai, who are close cousins of the Samburu, came to celebrate a culture that they are familiar with. 

Strong tradition
Hezena Lemaleyian, a university student at the function remarked: “As a minority community, many people think that the Samburu’s are naïve. The cultural night has given us an opportunity to mingle with the rest of Kenyans and show that we have a strong tradition.”

Lemaleyian says the opening of Maralal Campus which was launched during the night aims to promote the girl child empowerment which starts with educating them.
“I’m so excited about the event because many other Kenyans now understand much about us,” she said before continuing with her dance.

Sang about beauty
One interesting aspect about the Samburu dance and song was there was meaning in every word, every action.At one point, the morans sang in praise of the beauty of the young women they wanted to marry. They praised their beads, their walking style and the general body shape.

In their song, according to the interpretation we got, the girls praised the strength of the warriors.

Finally, to the excitement of those present including the community famous leaders, the warriors and girls sang together, a mock indication that they had reached an agreement — a friendship, a union that was likly to lead to marriage.
As they jumped to the song of union, it was a clear statement that Ntemer Night had made an unforgottable debut.