Kenya is a place of more than 40 ethnic communities and thus it is a unique African country having rare traditions and culture. Although, Kenya has no specific national dress, yet many acknowledged outfits are particular identification of this African nation that can be assumed as the traditional dress of Kenya.

A tribal warrior of Kenya in his traditional wear – Image : Retlaw Snellac

The modern population of Kenya use the Western dresses as the men usually dress up in suits with ties while the women wear skirt and blouse along with a Khanga (A wrapped cloth around the body). . The Khanga is a piece of clothing about 1.5 m by 1 m, screen printed with beautiful sayings in Swahili (or English) and is largely worn by women around the waist and torso. Similarly the Kenyan children also wear the American dresses.

A Kenyan women wearing the traditional dress – Image: Pam Morris

But what is so interesting for the student of culture and traditions about Kenya? Obviously, this is the clothing of the Kenyan tribes. Kitenge is a popular traditional dress of Kenya which is actually a cotton fabric made into various colors and designed through tie-and-dye and heavy embroidery.  Kitenge is not declared as the official dress of Kenya but as it is commonly worn during ceremonies and non-official functions. Each tribe has kept alive the tradition to wear its own cultural costumes, but the Masaiare dress is truly the traditional dress of Kenya. Masai tribe is the most well known Kenyan community and similarly the Samburu and Turkana people are also specially known for their traditional costumes.

Masai Mara women in their traditional dresses – Image : The Dilly Lama

Massai women can be seen wearing vast plate-like bead necklaces, and the colorful Kanga. The men are famous for wearing a red-checked Shuka ( A typical Masai blanket) and carry a distinctive ball-ended club. The Red color is the symbol of chivalry and bravery for the people of Masai.

The Kenyan tribal men wearing the traditional Shuka – Image: Katharine Heathcock

The traditional dress of Kenya also includes the conventional sandals that are actually smooth footwear, sometimes soled with pieces of motorcycle tires. The adult tribal men traditionally dye their hair red with ochre and fat in order to present the warrior look.

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Mama Earth is inhabited by people of different cultures and gentilities. In the recent era the signs of ethinic and historic ties are being eliminated on a rapid rate due to the adaptation of modern and mainstream political and cultural systems by these groups of people. Mainly, the indigenous people are defined as being indigenous with reference to some particular region or place. The association with some speicific piece of land does not actually mean that the region was originally inhabited by such people, but it is also probable that the descendants of such people might have arrived to such terrritory hundreds or thousands of years ago. Today, although there is much awareness for the recognition of the rights of the indigenous people around the globe, however still they are deprived of their land rights for the aquasition of their valuable resources or on the base of other conflicts.

According to an estimate, there are more than 400 million indigenous people in the world who live in more than 70 countires. After the transformation or colonization of their respective areas into a nation or state, their traditional and cultural values are gradually affected. Many of them are already being wiped out as a result of annihilation, hatred and genocide. The issues related to indigenous people are often highlighted on many forums or media, but still much is needed to address their problems. Following are some exquisite photographs of some indigenous people of the world who belong to different regions.

1- Indigenous People of Sakhalin Island ( North Pacific )

Indigenous People of Sakhain Island ( North Pacific )

2- An indigenous Bodi woman of Omo Valley, Ethiopoia

An indigenous Bodi woman, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopoia ( Image: By BoazImages )

3- A Berber Boy from South Tunisia 

An Indigenous Berber Boy of North Africa ( Tunisia ) Image: Makis Siderakis

4- The indigenous Kirghiz people of China

Indigenous Kirghiz People of China ( A UN Photo )

5- An indigenous Mongol Eagle Hunter

An Indigenous Mongol Eagle Hunter ( Image: By Hildehaab )

6- The Indigenous Taureg burning the fire

An Indigenous Tuareg Man on fire ( Image: Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak )

7- Some Indigenous Russian Children

Some Indigenous Children of Russia ( Image by Aksana )

8- The indigenous Baloch tribesman from Pakistan

The Indigenou Baloch Tribesmen from the Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan - Image: Sarfraz Hayat

9- Indigenous Sri Lankan Women

Some Indigenous Sri Lankan women working in the fields ( Image: Caroline Gluck )

10: Indigenous Canela People of Brazil 

The Indigenous Canela People of Brazil ( Image : Tatiana Cardeal )

11- Indigenous Samburu Ladies of Africa 

The Indigenous Samburu Ladies from Africa

12- Sami people ( Only indigenous people from Europe ) 

The Indigenous Sami people from Europe ( Minority Rights Group International Image )