WHO ARE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF KENYA?

Who are Sengwer

They are hunters and gatherers of the past who lived in Cherangany forests in pre colonial Kenya forests. They were nicknamed “Cherangany or Dorobo” by their neighbors.

 

Who are Yiaku

Yaaku, a Maa speaking Dorobo  who in early 1920s underwent a rapid transition from being Cushitic-speaking (foragers or hunters, gatherers and beekeepers) to being Maa-speaking pastoralists. They were recognized by colonial administrators as “the true Dorobo” and were never deported unlike their cousins Il ngwesi, Digirri and Mumonyot. Until recent decades, however, they spoke not a Khoisan language, but rather an Eastern Cushitic language called Yaaku . Words like “Yaaku” and “Mukogodo” may have been used for many centuries as labels for hunter-gatherers in north-central Kenya. The term “Yaaku” appears to have originally meant hunters and was borrowed from a Southern Nilotic language. Yaaku are in the verge of extinction with barely less than 6 speakers of their Original Yaaku language by end of 2010.

Who are Ogiek

Hunters and Gatherers of the past who lived in pre colonial Kenya forests. They were nicknamed “Dorobo” by their neighbors Maasai from the term “Il torobo” meaning poor or no cattle, a Maasai way of measuring wealth. They call themselves Ogiek, literally meaning “caretaker of the universe – both flora and fauna”. They currently live in Mau Complex and Mount Elgon areas.