You Love Culture? 11 Must-Attend Kenyan Cultural Festivals

One day, on my way from school, I was met with initiates who had just gotten out from the secret bushes of circumcision. This is something that had never happened to me before. I was scared stiff, for a moment, I couldn’t move. I stood there holding tightly on my school bag wondering what they would do to me. They were scary, with clay smeared all over their faces, they looked like colobus monkeys. Each one of them carried a club made from rubber bands. We had heard stories about the boys attacking young girls with the clubs. Fast forward, I remembered they couldn’t run – they had just been circumcised. So I fled. Want to know more about the initiates of Bukusu land? You will find them further below in the article. 

Culture is what defines humanity.  

Culture is the unique pieces of thread that intricately weave beautiful patterns in the web of being human. We are all human, but there are elements that define us specifically, and culture is one of those. 

Kenya enjoys the beauty of over seventy such unique cultures. There are ceremonies that accompany the celebration of these cultures and some are globally recognized. If you are the kind that is intrigued with people, their ways of life and the uniqueness of culture and traditions,read on. 

 Below are the top 9 Kenyan cultural festivals you definitely want to attend one of these days.

• The East African Art Festival 

What’s the deal here? A combination of many East African cultures assembled in one place. This event is usually organized by the Kenya National Museum every year in March. You will need to confirm the exact dates with your travel agent to catch the event in good time. Music, fashion, literature, African architecture, sculptures and  traditional artifacts, it’s all there in one place.  And I have not even mentioned the traditional cuisines ranging from the Kenyan nyama Choma to Ugandan groundnut sauce. 

You can be sure to take back home a great story and keep wonderful mementos for yourself.  

• The International Camel Derby

Can you imagine this derby happening annually since 1990? This is the equivalent of a desert safari loaded with fun and thrilling activities.The Derby takes place every August in Maralal town. If March is too soon and you won’t be able to catch The EAst African Art Festival,then you can schedule an August Tour in the desert. What is there in store for you?

• The sun
• Camel racing
• Bicycle desert races
• Donkey rides

You can also rent a camel. Maralal is a very scenic town with amazing views and the most beautiful sunsets. Pack plenty of sunscreen. 

• Mombasa Carnival

Do you have Christmas plans this year? It is never too early to start planning. Mombasa carnival starts on 12th of December and lasts through the Christmas season. The frenzy, the crowds, the cheers and the thrill of throwing all your cares in the Indian Ocean are up for grabs. You will have an extravaganza of swahili cultural dances from all over the Kenyan coast including Chakacha, Giriama dances, and Taarab. You probably have heard about the swahili cuisine. What about getting high on the spicy coffee popularly known as kahawa tungu? Have Come Travel Kenya organize a December Mombasa tour for you, it’s  just a phone call away. 

• Bukusu Circumcision Ceremony

I’m a Bukusu and I can assure you that attending one of these circumcision ceremonies will leave you amazed. It happens every August and December. You can book to attend the whole ceremony from the time an initiate starts announcing that they are ready to face the knife, or just the D-day. I recommend you go for the former.  The climax is usually the day before the initiate faces the knife. It is all merry, drink, music and traditional dance. Local cuisine is also served in the ceremony. It takes a few weeks to prepare the initiates for the big day, so you might want to follow the proceedings for deeper understanding. Culture runs deep in the spirit. Bukusu circumcision awakens even the dead spirits! The next circumcision ceremony will happen in 2024. Start finding a host. If such ceremonies entice you, read further below for Tiriki’s Itumbi ceremony.  

• Rusinga Festival 

The Suba tribe of Lake Victoria is listed among the world’s endangered tribes and languages. For this reason, a few Abasuba people decided to run a sponsored festival to conserve the little that is left. This festival is sponsored by the Chula cultural Foundation and is usually held at Rusinga and Mfangano Islands on Lake Victoria. 

You can expect to be treated to:

• Awesome traditional Suba music
• Mouth watering Suba cuisines
• Cultural sporting
• Traditional art gallery  

And, for book lovers: there’s a floating library! The buoyancy and poetry just marry so well. 

• Tiriki’s Itumbi

This is close to the Bukusu Circumcision only that:

1. It occurs after five years
2. The ceremony is held after the boys have healed from the knife
3. The whole  initiation process of Tiriki boys is done in the forest.

Once the boys have healed from the cut, they come home to their parents from the forest. This is usually a big deal. The boys are celebrated, clothed in hide and the traditional coronation hut made from colored reeds. It is always both thrilling and scary at the same time. The dance is beautiful and engaging. This is where you want to be in 2025!  

• Lake Turkana Homecoming Festival

This is the mother of all festivals – the Tobong’u Lore – meaning  Welcome Home. In spring, all the Lake Turkana tribes assemble at the lake to trace their roots, foster peace, pour libation to their forefathers, and other rituals.  The festival happens at different times, sometimes in May, other times in June. It attracts  people from Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. The Turkana, Dassanech, Samburu, Rendile, Somali,  Gabra, and Elmolo gather for three consecutive days and nights to reminisce and celebrate. . I thought you should also know that the Turkana basin is popular for its paleontological heritage. 

If you want to be a part of pomp and color, eat a lot of meat, and drink blood, contact Come Travel Kenya for a tour arrangement. You will need to pack a sun hat,  sun glasses, and lots of sunscreen.  

• The Enuoto – Moran Shaving Ceremony

A moran man is not allowed to marry or even go near a woman if he has not gone through the Enuoto ceremony. This ceremony is done once every ten years. Maybe you wonder why maasai men are brave? It takes them years of patience to qualify for being called ‘men’. During the Enuoto shaving ceremony, mothers shave their sons after smearing their heads with red ochre. Traditional brew made from honey and aloes is then served in plenty, with meat roasted in herbs. It is an interesting ceremony that is rare to catch, so you will have to check on our websites to know when it will be held. 

• Lamu Cultural Festival 

Lamu is home to an ancient coastal culture. They set November aside for a swahili cultural carnivore, donkey racing, dances in the architectural labyrinth of Lamu, and there are sports tournaments including kayaking. If you are a lover of history, Lamu presents history classes wrapped in fun! Come Travel Kenya can organize three days of swahili fun at the coast for you

In conclusion, the above mentioned festivals attract people from all over the world. They offer memorable experiences that will leave you yearning for more. It is definitely true that appreciating other people’s customs and way of life are the signs that you have acquired social intelligence. 

So, which festival are you coming for? The Bukusu circumcision on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, Turkana homecoming festival in the desert heat of Lodwar or The Rusinga festival on the calm island of Rusinga, Lake Victoria.  Tell us in your comments.

WRITER:  Emily Wekulo