which is considered superior to fresh milk. Beef is eaten on ceremonial occasions or when a cow happens
to die. Today, the tribe relies increasingly on purchased agricultural products with money acquired from
livestock sales. They love maize porridge; this is finely ground corn. (I used to buy some of this at the
Valencia market and cooked it. Lola Rallos said it was poor man’s rice but she would join me for a bite or
two.) The Samburu also love tea taken with a lot of sugar, blood meal like the Filipino dinoguan, and
vegetable stew.
ECONOMY: Traditionally, the Samburu are purely rural – striving to survive off the products of their herds.
However, because of the significant growth in population over the past 60 years and a decline in their cattle
holdings, the Samburu have been forced to seek other supplemental forms of livelihood. Some attempted
to grow crops while many young men have migrated for at least short periods to cities to seek jobs. Many
work in Nairobi as watchmen, some work in Kenya’s coastal resorts, while some sell spears and beaded
ornaments.
RELIGION: While the Masai believe in one supreme god in the sky (Enkai or Nkai) who favors them with all
the cattle in the world, the Samburu believe that Nkai is the source of all protection from hazards.
However, they also believe that once an elder curses a younger person for some show of disrespect, the
elder’s anger is seen as an appeal to Nkai and it is Nkai who decides if the curse is justified. To calm the
elder’s anger and restore their god’s protection, the younger person must approach the elder and offer
reparation in return for his blessing.
Sumburu young people and women often report seeing visions of Nkai. Some children prophesy over a
period of time and gain a reputation of being spontaneous prophets. Because of this, the Samburu have
ritual diviners or Shamans who divine the causes of individual illnesses or misfortunes, and who guide
warriors. Samburu religious life is full of ceremonies.
ANALYZE THIS: The easy-going Samburu tribe with their complex beliefs and admirable resilience,
wouldn’t it be wonderful if they got to know the God of Heaven who loves them and died for them in
Calvary?
Who would tell them Jesus loves them?
Who would tell them that His life for them He gave?
Who would tell them how He died?
And that He rose again and is alive?
Will you tell them?
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