View allAll Photos Tagged mbwa
first time for us - 1ere fois pour nous !
Also called "painted wolf", "mbwa mwitu" in Kiswahili, "osuyiani" in Masai, "suyian" in Samburu, "mbwa" in Kikuyu, "mulula" in Kinyiramba, the lycaon that looks like a large colorful dog , with an elongated muzzle with powerful jaws. The skin of the face is often black: it is illuminated by the piercing gaze of large, slightly rounded tawny-brown eyes. The ears, also rounded, surprise with their large size.
The lycaon is a well-proportioned animal, accustomed to traveling great distances in search of favorable hunting grounds, thanks to its well-developed but fine marathoner musculature. His lightness, mobility and speed, coupled with a formidable team spirit, make him an effective and feared hunter. The pack hunting technique is well suited to its size, because its lack of power is then compensated by the endurance, cunning and pooling of the abilities of each of the hunters. The females there seem to be more enduring and faster than the males.
Également appelé « loup peint », « mbwa mwitu » en kiswahili, « osuyiani » en masai, « suyian » en samburu, « mbwa » en kikuyu, « mulula » en kinyiramba, le lycaon a l'allure d'un grand chien bigarré, au museau allongé aux mâchoires puissantes. La peau de la face est souvent noire : elle est éclairée par le regard perçant de grands yeux marron-fauve légèrement arrondis. Les oreilles, elles aussi arrondies, surprennent par leur grande taille.
Le lycaon est un animal bien proportionné, habitué à parcourir de grandes distances à la recherche de terrains de chasse favorables, grâce à sa musculature de marathonien développée mais fine. Sa légèreté, sa mobilité et sa célérité, couplées à un formidable esprit d'équipe, font de lui un chasseur efficace et redouté. La technique de chasse en meute est bien adaptée à sa taille, car son absence de puissance est alors compensée par l'endurance, la ruse et la mise en commun des capacités de chacun des chasseurs. Les femelles y semblent plus endurantes et plus rapides que les mâles.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered animals in Africa with a population of only 6,600 individuals as of 2020.
African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease. – Wikipedia
Kruger National Park
South Africa
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered animals in Africa with a population of only 6,600 individuals as of 2020.
African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease. Wikipedia
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
Photographed on the way to the airport taking us from the Lewa Wildlife conservancy to the Masai Mara National Reserve in the early morning.
On August 26th, our awareness is called to focus on World Painted Dog Day. These majestic creatures are also known as African wild dogs or African hunting dogs, which are wild canines and natives of sub-Saharan Africa. Their prey are gazelles, impalas, wildebeests, warthogs, and other small animals. Painted dogs are extremely vulnerable to human encroachment and agricultural expansion, which has been destroying their habitats.
“The threats are many,” Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) Executive Director Peter Blinston pinpointed. “Loss of quality habitat and poaching represent the biggest problems. Unless we take action to address these threats, painted dogs will become extinct in our lifetime.”
It is estimated that there are around 6,600 adults (including 1,400 mature individuals) living in 39 subpopulations, all threatened by habitat fragmentation, human persecution and outbreaks of disease. As the largest subpopulation probably consists of fewer than 250 individuals, the African wild dog has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1990.
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Wild dog relaxing after making a kill.
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered animals in Africa with a population of only 6,600 individuals as of 2020.
African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease. Wikipedia
For more information see -
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered animals in Africa with a population of only 6,600 individuals as of 2020.
African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease.
For more information see -
Der Tierpark Lohberg ist auch im Winter sehr sehenswert.
The animal park Lohberg is also worth seeing in winter.
Bayern (Bavaria) - Deutschland (Germany)
Bayerwald Tierpark (Zoo) Lohberg
Cham Oberpfalz
Dezember (December) 2017
follow me on Facebook:
I usually wear only Armani -
just unique pieces, made only for ME alone.
Here it is a fur scarf from the two-pronged Sirius sheep.
The scarf dresses ME immensely!
Armani has once again magnificently fulfilled my inspiration -
... I did it that way.
I wish all my friends, subjects,
all beings of all universes that I have made,
and of course, my two butlers
all the best for the year's exit and entrance.
That all of them show respect and pay homage to ME!
Yooooooo !!!
Now i am back in good old Germany. Time to go through the millions of pictures taken in the last months.
This one is from a dog sanctuary in Usa River (check it out: www.mbwa-wa-africa.org). Easy to say this pup was my favourit ;)
Kruger National Park
South Africa
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered animals in Africa with a population of only 6,600 individuals as of 2020.
African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease. Wikipedia
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Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
Click on Image To Enlarge
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
One of the few times I had the privilege to see a pack of wild dogs in Africa. As well as Kenya, I saw them once in Botswana and once in South Africa. There are only about 6,600 individuals left in the wild.
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
I have other images of these wild dogs in my Kenya 2015 album. This one was photographed by itself looking back at the others to see what they were doing. There are only 3,000 to 5,000 dogs left in Africa, and they are on the endangered list.
Another image of an African Wild Dog is shown in the first comment section.
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’.
The African Wild Dogs scientific name ‘Lycaon pictus’ comes from the Greek language for ‘wolf’ and Latin for ‘painted’. The African Wild Dog is the only species in the Genus ‘Lycaon’.
I think this is the very first picture of the traditional dress of Tharaka tribe on Flickr!
Very few Tharaka still use them. Same for the wig she wears.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
tongue out ....
www.yellowkorner.com/photographies-accueil.aspx?art_thm_i...
check this one... out...
caring about wildlife
500CM 120mm
FP4(100) Tanol
scan from lithprint onto Maco Multibrom
MBWA chamois matt 20x25
Easylith 25+25+900+50 old B.
The wig is made of vegetal fibers and seeds.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
African Wild Hunting Dog
Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus pictus
SWAHILI NAME FOR DOG: Mbwa
OA007
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
Kirimi chief wears a headdress made with a colobus monkey skin tail. It's complicated to still see the Tharaka wearing those traditional stuff...I think this is the only picture on the web!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
La fedeltà di un cane è un dono prezioso che impone obblighi morali non meno impegnativi dell’amicizia con un essere umano.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
She is very old, she wears an ING Manchester United TShirt!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharaka vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée.
© Eric Lafforgue
Prints | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Blog | © Ben Heine
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NEW: Prints of the above photo now available for sale!
A quickie. I took this photo in Spain and also made the sketch.
Crazy dog... finding it cool or may be not that much...
If you wish, you can view the sketch in progress and 2 other
photos of the same dog here.
(The above picture has been shot with the Samsung NX11)
Update: See THIS VIDEO showing 18 Pencil Vs Camera
images in progress (with a small animation and music).
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For more information about my artwork: info@benheine.com
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One beer for the lady !
This calabash contains a local beer mixed with honey. It is really tasty, and Tharaka people are pleased to see you drink it. You just need to avoid to swallow a dead bee!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
The beer was good.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
An African Wild Dog puppy (Lycaon pictus).
Note: African Wild Dogs are endangered.
Martin
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The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
Traditionnal skirts made of palms and goat and cow skins.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
This calabash contains a local beer mixed with honey. It is really tasty, and Tharaka people are pleased to see you drink it. You just need to avoid to swallow a dead bee!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The wig is made of vegetal fibers and seeds. The eyes a re a little bit red as the beer was so good!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
This Tharaka warrior wears a headdress made with a colobus monkey skin tail. It's complicated to still see the Tharaka wearing those traditional stuff...I think this is the only picture on the web!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The Ranger informed us that this was the first sightings of African Wild Dogs in six months. (Feb/2002)
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AFRICAN WILD DOG
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family, found only in Africa, especially in scrub savanna and other lightly wooded areas. It is also called the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, the Cape Hunting Dog, the Spotted Dog, or the Painted Wolf in English, Wildehond in Afrikaans, and Mbwa mwitu in Swahili. It is the only species in the genus Lycaon.
Adults typically weigh 17-36 kilograms (37-79 pounds). A tall, lean animal, it stands about 30 inches (75 cm) at the shoulder, with a head and body length averaging about 40 inches (100cm) and a tail of 12 to 18 inches (30-45cm). Animals in southern Africa are generally larger than those in the eastern or western Africa.
African wild dogs have an unusual breeding system. Only one pair of dogs reproduces in a pack; other pack members act cooperatively to care for the young of the breeding pair. It has been said that African wild dogs are the most social of all mammals, never living apart from a pack at any stage in their lives.
They live in tightly knit social groups and hunt in packs, preying primarily on grazing animals such as gazelles, springboks, wildebeest and zebras. Members of a pack vocalize to help coordinate their movements. Its voice is characterized by an unusual chirping or squeaking sound.
While most predators stalk or ambush their prey, the wild dogs make no attempt to hide, they simply approach a herd until it stampedes and then single out an individual and chase it until it's exhausted. The dogs are swift, tireless runners and have been known to chase prey for an hour. During pursuit, they can reach speeds of up to 45 mph.
Nearly 80% of all hunts end in a kill. After a successful hunt, hunters regurgitate meat for those that remained at the den during the hunt, such as the dominant female and the pups. They will also feed other pack members such as the sick, injured or very old that cannot keep up.
Hunting dog packs range over very large areas -- from 600 to more than 1,500 square miles (1,560-3,900 sq km) a year - and even large parks may not provide enough territory to support viable dog populations. There were once about 500,000 African Wild Dogs in 39 countries, and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are only about 3,000-5,500 in less than 25 countries. They are primarily found in eastern and southern Africa.
There are two remaining large populations, one associated with the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and another population centered in northern Botswana and eastern Namibia. Smaller but apparently secure populations of several hundred individuals are found in Zimbabwe, South Africa (Kruger National Park) and in the Ruaha/Rungwa/Kisigo complex of Tanzania.
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MALA MALA
Mala Mala is the oldest and largest private game reserve in South Africa. One of the first areas of private land to switch from hunting to conservation, it is spread over 33,000 acres (13,500 hectares) of the Mpumalanga Lowveld. The property shares a 12 mile unfenced border with Kruger National Park and contains the longest stretch of the Sand River of any of the Sabi Sand resorts. Its varied habitats - riverine forest, acacia bushveld, and savannah - support a broad selection of wildlife, and provide excellent opportunities for spotting the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion & Rhinoceros).
Upon checking in, your game ranger will greet you and accompany you throughout your stay. The rangers, selected for their knowledge of African plant, animal, and bird-life, oversee your personal service. They will be your guide for your twice daily, four-hour game drives, sit with you at meals and impart their knowledge of African wildlife with stories about the individual behavior of animals within the MalaMala reserve.
Game drives are conducted in an open safari vehicle, accompanied by a professional Shangaan tracker. Despite the refined attention to detail, you are immediately aware that you are in Africa and that the unexpected may happen. Breakdowns and stuck vehicles are a hazard of driving through donga and bush, but the staff handles this with aplomb. Radio contact, a large reserve, and excellent guides enhance the probability of seeing the big five. The camp also offers guided bush walks.
Kirimi chief wears a headdress made with a colobus monkey skin tail. It's complicated to still see the Tharaka wearing those traditional stuff...I think this is the only picture on the web!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
Kirimi chief wears a headdress made with a colobus monkey skin tail. It's complicated to still see the Tharaka wearing those traditional stuff...I think this is the only picture on the web!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% of them live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decrease in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining cultivable lands, is a concern for the Tharaka. Goat meat in particular is central both for their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settle conflicts. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are various important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, a high brideprice is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", name of the mythical animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, even if they are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland (called Mbwa) near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing (called ugao). According to the legend, the clan of Nyaga was born with the ugao art, which comes from the Mbwa land. But since they were poor, they had to teach other clans this art, in order to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is a single clan’s attribute. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to clans classified by colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art. As a consequence, Kenya is a country of a great diversity, as much for its environment and climate (which changes from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior) as for its peoples. And even if they tend to homogenize because of the modern life in cities, some clans still preserve their traditional customs and lifestyle.
Les Tharakas vivent dans la partie est du Mont Kenya. Environ 10% d’entre eux vivent dans des villes, le reste dans les villages de la zone.Signifiant « affamé », les Tharaka appartiennent au groupe ethnique Ameru. Ils parlent une langue bantoue, le mérou. Ils sont agriculteurs et éleveurs : ils ont des cultures céréalières, du coton, et des tournesols et élèvent des vaches, chèvres et brebis. La diminution dans l’exploitation de bétail, attribuée aux sècheresses et aux terres cultivables en déclin, est un sujet de préoccupation pour les Tharaka. La viande de chèvre en particulier est centrale à la fois pour leur alimentation et coutumes. Les Tharaka sont aussi des marchants, puisqu’ils commercent avec des individus de tout le pays. Ils vivent dans des petites huttes au toit de tôles ondulées.La vie au village est davantage considérée (comparée à la vie en ville) puisque préservant leur culture. Ils ont un sens poussé de l’appartenance communautaire. Le « mukuru » (aîné) est la personne la plus importante de la communauté, qui prodigue des conseils et règle les conflits. Dans cette tribu, comme dans d’autres, il y a des classes d’âge : les hommes doivent passer par plusieurs étapes avant d’atteindre la plus élevée. Il y a diverses célébrations importantes : la naissance d’un enfant, la circoncision, le mariage et les moissons de Juin et Janvier. Avant le mariage, un paiement de la mariée élevé est fait par le futur époux au père de la fiancée. Ils ont aussi un rite de passage important appelé « Kirimo », du nom de l’animal mythique qui avale les êtres humains et les recrache ensuite. Ils utilisent des flèches et ont des techniques de combat très efficaces. Ils ont donc gardé leurs traditions, même s’ils sont maintenant aussi chrétiens. Il y a environ 20% de chrétiens actifs, et 70% ont désormais adopté la foi chrétienne. Les Tharaka ont un ensemble de mythes élaborés, qu’ils partagent avec les autres groupes Mérou et conservent grâce à leur tradition orale. L’un d’entre eux parle du départ d’une terre originelle (appelée Mbwa) située près d’un large plan d’eau, un autre des origines de l’art de soigner tharaka (appelé ugao). Selon la légende, le clan des Nyaga est né avec l’art ugao, qui provient de la terre Mbwa. Mais comme ils étaient pauvres, ils ont dû apprendre à d’autres clans cet art pour obtenir des chèvres et de la nourriture. En conséquence, selon le mythe, l’art de soigner est l’attribut d’un seul et même clan. De plus, dans le mythe, on trouve une référence au classement des clans par couleur (noir, blanc et rouge), les clans rouges étant associés à l’art ugao.En conséquence, le Kénya est un pays d’une grande diversité, autant pour son environnement et climat (qui change de tropical le long des côtes à aride à l’intérieur) que pour ses peuples. Et même s’ils ont tendance à s’homogénéiser à cause de la vie moderne des villes, certains clans préservent encore leurs coutumes et modes de vie traditionnels.
© Eric Lafforgue
She has not a beard, it is just her dress made of animal skin that jumped to her face!
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family, found only in Africa, especially in scrub savanna and other lightly wooded areas. It is also called the African Hunting Dog, the Cape Hunting Dog, the Spotted Dog, or the Painted Wolf in English, Wildehond in Afrikaans, and Mbwa mwitu in Swahili. It is the only species in the monotypic genus, Lycaon.
The African Wild Dog hunts in packs. Like most members of the dog family, it is a cursorial hunter, meaning that it pursues its prey in a long, open chase. During pursuit, it may reach speeds of up to 45 mph.[9] Nearly 80% of all hunts end in a kill. Members of a pack vocalize to help coordinate their movements. Its voice is characterized by an unusual chirping or squeaking sound, similar to a bird.
After a successful hunt, hunters regurgitate meat for those that remained at the den during the hunt, such as the dominant female and the pups. They will also feed other pack members such as the sick, injured or very old that cannot keep up.
The African Wild Dog's main prey varies among populations, but always centers around medium-sized ungulates such as the Impala. While the vast majority of its diet is made up of mammal prey, it sometimes hunts large birds, especially Ostriches.[7]
A few packs will also include large animals in their prey, such as the Wildebeest and zebras. Hunting larger prey requires a closely coordinated attack, beginning with a rapid charge to stampede the herd. One wild dog then grabs the victim's tail, while another attacks the upper lip, and the remainder disembowel the animal while it is immobilised. This behaviour is also used on other large dangerous prey such as the Warthog, the African Buffalo and Giraffe calves and large antelope — even the 1 ton Giant Eland.
Remarkably, this large-animal hunting tactic appears to be a learned behavior, passed on from generation to generation within specific hunting packs, rather than an instinctive behaviour found commonly within the species. Some studies have also shown that other information, such as the location of watering holes, may be passed on in a similar fashion.
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue
Of course, Flora is not a Tharaka name..Most of the tribes in Kenya have been converted into christianism or islam, and get a new name. But they keep their traditional name too...
The Tharaka live on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. About 10% live in towns, the rest in the villages of the area.
Meaning "starving", the Tharaka belong to the Ameru ethnic group. They speak a Bantu-language, the Meru. They are farmers and shepherds: they grow cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers and rear cows, goats and sheeps. The decline in livestock holdings, attributed to droughts and declining available lands, is a concern for the Tharaka since goat meat is central in their diet and custom. The Tharaka are also merchants, since they trade with people all over the country. They live in small huts with a corrigated iron roof.
Village life is better considered (compared to the life in towns) since it preserves their culture. They have a strong sense of belonging. The "mukuru" (elder) is the most important person of the community, who gives advice and settles disputes. In this tribe, like in others, there are age-sets: men have to go through several stages before reaching the highest one. There are several important celebrations: the birth of a child, circumcision, marriage and the harvests of June and January. Before marriage, high bride price is paid by the prospective groom to the wife's father. They have also an important rite of passage called "Kirimo", animal that swallows human beings and spits it out thereafter. They use arrows and have very efficient fighting techniques. So they still have kept their traditions, but are now also christians. There is an estimated 20% active Christians, and 70% have now adopted the christian faith. Tharaka people have an elaborate set of myths, that they share with the other Meru groups and keep in through their oral tradition. One of them involves an exodus from an original homeland called Mbwa near a large body of water, another the origins of the Tharaka art of healing, called ugao. According to the legend, ugao originated from the Mbwa land. The clan of Nyaga was born with ugao but since they were poor, they had to teach other clans about ugao to get some goats and food. Consequently, as per the myth, the art of healing is owned by a single clan. Furthermore, in the myth, there is a reference to a classification of clans with colours (black, white and red), the red clans being associated with the ugao art.
© Eric Lafforgue