The Turkana are the second largest group of nomadic pastoralists in Kenya. Many of them live in nothern Kenya, but their nomadic travels take them far from this country's political border. Numbering over 200,000, they occupy a rectangular area surrounding Lake Turkana in northern Kenya and Ethiopia on the east, Uganda on the west and north into Sudan. Traditional dress and ornaments are of vital importance, much emphasis being placed on adornment of both women and young Moranis (warriors). Being nomadic herders, much of their life is spent in herding, caring for their livestock and raiding other tribes of their cattle, goats, camels and donkeys. The traditional Turkana weapons, used to protect their herds and possessions from wild animals and other tribes, include a long spear, a rungu club or fighting stick, wrist knives, fingerhooks, and a shield made from buffalo, giraffe, or hippo hide. |