It was all glitter and glamour at annual Turkana Cultural Festival
Borana girls perform a traditional dance during the 10th Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival at Loiyangalani town in Turkana County on May 6, 2017.
KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION
What you need to know:
- The El Molo, who live on shores of Lake Turkana, are one of smallest communities in the country.
- Also to spice up the occasion was the half marathon race and the 15km and 10km (elite), 10km (morans) and 3km race for children.
Every year since 2008, the Turkana and El-Molo communities have opened up their societies to rest of the world at around this time of the year.
This year’s annual Marsabait-Lake Turkana Cultural Festival from may 4 to 6 at the remote Loiyangalani town on the foot of Mt Kulal and right on the edge of Lake Turkana.
The event is rich in cultural heritage and features dances, food, art, costumes, traditional acrobatics and a parade of traditional tools and equipment.
Loiyangalani, a versatile magnet for travellers, was a picture of splendour as tradition and culture fused because of the simplicity, serenity and natural beauty of the terrain.
Performances by the El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Dassanatch, Gabra, Borana, Konso, Sakuye, Garee, Waata, Burji, Sidama and Somalis ensured there was a carnival atmosphere.
The El Molo, who live on shores of Lake Turkana, are one of smallest communities in the country.
Also to spice up the occasion was the half marathon race and the 15km and 10km (elite), 10km (morans) and 3km race for children.
The festival themed “Celebrating Social cohesion through Cultural Diversity”, was also aimed at promoting the area as a tourist destination.
The peak of the event was Saturday’s performance by all the communities and an overnight gala night.
Although the turnout was lower than in the previous years, hundreds of locals and international visitors still turned up. Visitors were also treated to a tour of the Loiyangalani desert.
