Kamba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

1 Origins and migration
2 Colonialism and the 19th century
3 The Kamba family
4 Culture and beliefs
5 Kamba music
6 Clothing and costumery
7 List of Prominent Kambas

[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 craft work 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 century

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.

Akamba resistance to colonialism was mostly |non-violent] in nature. Some of the best known Akamba resistance leaders 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 mother'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 the Akamba people. Children are often affectionately called Musumbi (meaning "king"), and Muthoki/Nthoki (meaning "long awaited one"). Akamba 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 Agikuyu, the Akamba believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental God Ngai, who lives up in the sky ('yayaani').] 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'/'Maimu', as the intercessors between themselves and Ngai Asa. They are remembered in family rituals and offerings at individual altars.

Often when the old men (Asee) are partaking the traditional brew (Uki/Nzovi) it is the custom to pour a little brew before taking the first sip. This is in effect to appease Kuthengya family ancestors.

[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 occasions. In their dance they display agility and athletic skills, as they perform acrobatics and body movements. The Akamba dance techniques and style resemble those of the Batutsi of Rwanda-Burundi and the Aembu 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, religious dances;
Muilu is a circumcision dance;
Mbalya, or Ngutha is a dance for young people who meet to entertain themselves after the day's chores are done.
Kamandiko Which is the traditional equivalent of a modern disco

[edit] Clothing and costumery

The Akamba of the modern times, like most people in Kenya, dress rather conventionally in western / European clothing. The men thus wear trousers, usually made from cotton dill, and shirts. Young boys will, as a rule, wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts, usually in cotton, or tee-shirts. Traditionally, Akamba men wore leather short kilts made from animal skins or tree bark. They wore copious jewelery, mainly of copper and brass. It consisted of neck-chains, bracelets, and anklets.

The women in modern Akamba society also dress in the European fashion, taking their pick from dresses, skirts, trousers, jeans and shorts, made from the wide range of fabrics available in Kenya.In the past, the women were attired in knee-length leather or bark skirts, embellished with bead work. They wore necklaces made of beads, these obtained from the Swahili and Arab traders. They shaved their heads clean, and wore a head band intensively decorated with beads. The various kilumi or dance groups wore similar colors and patterns on their bead work to distinguish themselves from other groups.

Traditionally, both men and women wore leather sandals especially when they ventured out of their neighborhoods to go to the market or on visits. While at home or working in their fields, however, they remained barefoot.