Kamba
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There is also Kemba in Gabon, see Kemba, Gabon
The Kamba (Mukamba in singular Akamba in the plural) are a Bantu ethnic group who live in the semi-arid Eastern Province of Kenya stretching east from Nairobi to Tsavo and north up to Embu, Kenya. This land is called Ukamba or land of the Akamba. Depending on the source, they are either the third or the fifth largest ethnic group in Kenya. They speak the Kikamba language.
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[edit] Origins and migration
The Akamba moved into their present lands from Western Tanzania (Unyamwezi) by way of Usambara Mountains and into eastern Kenya. As they settled in the hilly lands their population increased. Some anthropologists believe that the Akamba are a mixture of several East African people, and bear traits of the Bantu farmers (Kikuyu, Taita) as well as those of the Nilotic pastoralists (Maasai, Kalenjin, Borana, etc). The Kamba are often found in different professions: some are agriculturalists others hunters, and a surprisingly large number are pastoralists. Trade in the form of barter with the Kikuyu people in the interior and the Mijikenda and Arab people on the coast was also practiced by the Akamba who straddled the eastern plains of Kenya, all the way South into Taveta country and the Usambara region of Tanzania.
Over time, they expanded their commercial activity and wielded economic control right across the central part of the land that was later to be known as Kenya (from the Kikamba, 'Kiinyaa', the Ostrich Country'), from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria in the west, and all the way up to Lake Turkana on the northern frontier. The Akamba traded in locally-produced goods such as cane beer, ivory, brass amulets, tools and weapons, millet, yams and cattle. The food obtained from trading helped offset shortages caused by droughts and subsequent famines. They also traded in medicinal products known as 'Miti' (literally: plants), made from various parts of the numerous medicinal plants found on the East African plains. The Akamba are still known for their fine craftwork in basketry, and pottery. Their artistic inclination is evidenced in the sculpture work that is on display in many craft shops and galleries in the major cities and towns of Kenya.
[edit] Colonialism and the 19th cntury
In the latter part of the 19th century the Arabs hijacked the coastal trade from the Akamba, who then acted as middlemen between the Arab and Swahili traders and the tribed further upcountry. Their trade and travel made them ideal guides for the caravans gathering slaves for the Middle Eastern and Indian markets. Early European explorers also used them as guides in their expeditions to explore East Africa.
Kamba resistance to colonialism was mostly non-violent in nature. Some of the best known Kamba resistors to colonialism were: Syokimau, Syotune wa Kathukye, Muindi Mbingu, and later Paul Ngei, JD Kali, and Malu of Kilungu (a place locally known as "Mitini kwa Malu"). Ngei and Kali were imprisoned by the colonial government for their anti-colonial protests.
[edit] The Kamba family
In Kamba culture, the family is central to the life of the community. The man, who is head of the family, undertakes one of the economic activities popular among the community, such as trading, hunting, cattle-herding (his own cows) or farming. He was, and still is, known as 'Nau', 'Tata', Asa.
The woman, whatever her husband's occupation, works on her piece of land, supplementing the food supply of the home. She grows maize, millet, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beans, pigeon peas, greens, arrow root, cassava, and in the cooler regions such as Kangundo, yam. It is the monther's role to bring up the children. Even children that have grown up into adults are expected to never contradict the mother's wishes. The mother is known as 'Mwaitu' ('our One')
The grandparents (Usua, umau) help with the less strenuous chores around the home, such as rope-making, tanning leather, cleaning calabashes and making arrows. Older women continue to work the land, as this is seen as a source of independence and economic security. They also carry out trade in the local markets, though not exclusively.
[edit] Culture and beliefs
Naming is an important aspect of Kamba people. Children are often affectionately called Musumbi (meaning "king"), and Muthoki (meaning "long awaited one"). Kamba children are named for/after time or events surrounding their birth. For example, Nduku is a name given to a baby girl born at night and Mutuku to a baby boy born at night. Children born when it is raining may be named Mumbua (feminine) or Wambua (masculine). Children are also named after a living or departed ancestor, depending on the parents' relationship with the person.
Like the Maasai and the Agiikuyu, the Akamba believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God Ngai, who lives up in the sky ('yayayani').] The most venerable name of God is Asa, or the Father. He is also known as Ngai Mulungu, Mumbi, or mwatuangi. He is perceived as the omnipotent creator of life on earth and as a merciful, if distant, entity. The traditional Akamba perceive the spirits of their departed ones, the 'aimu', as the intercessors between themselves and Ngai Asa. They are remembered in family rituals and offerings at individual altars.
[edit] Kamba music
The Akamba people's love of music and dance is evidenced in their spectacular performances at many events in their daily lives or on special occasion. In their dance they display agility and athletic skills, as they perform acrobatics and body movements. The Akamba dance techniques and style resembles that of the Batutsi of Rwanda-Burundi and the Embu of kenya.
The following are some of the varieties of traditional dance styles of the Akamba community:
- Mwali (pl: Myali) which is a dance accompanying a song, the latter which is usually made to critcise anti-social behaviour.
- Kilumi and Ngoma, these two being religious dances
- Muilu is a circumcision dance
- Mbalya, or Ngutha is a dance for young people
[edit] Kamba Clothing
The Kamba men usually wear long pants with a modern shirt while the Kamba boys wear short and a t-shirt. Women wear dresses with kangas(bright coloured fabric) around there waists. Many women also wear bright coloured scarves. Girls in Kamba also wear dresses. It is uncommon to see children in there uniforms. The shoes that the Kamba people wear may be sandals, leather shoes, sneakers, and sometimes they go barefoot.
[edit] List of Prominent Kambas
- Mutula Kilonzo
- Kalonzo Musyoka
