The Samburu of Kenya

In the semi-arid East African wilderness just above the Equator live a tribe of nomadic pastoralists called the Samburu. A proud, colourful people, the Samburu migrated from Sudan in the 16th century, settling north of Mount Kenya in the Rift Valley area. Today the Samburu, still living their culture and traditions, retain the customs and ceremonies of their early ancestors.

In 2018 Guy Needham spent time living amongst the Samburu in northern Kenya, observing and participating in their daily life.

This resulting exhibition is a collaborative homage, taken under the burning African sun. The images reveal a sense of pride, dignity, and at times, mischief. The faces speak of both strength and tenderness, silently representing not only themselves but their people. Subtle expressions celebrate individuality while shared elements allude to the common collective. Subliminally the exhibition self-questions Western Society’s priorities and values in our consumption-driven, globally isolated lives of 2020.

The Samburu of Kenya is the sixth instalment in Guy Needham’s Tribal series which to date has included indigenous peoples in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and South America.