Lake Turkana Festival

Ten Kenyan communities. A remote region of the country. Different traditions. Environmental challenges. Economic prospects. Reconciliation.

Proposed by the local community of Loiyangalani, Kenya, back in 2008 and jointly organised by the German Embassy, the Local Community Festival Committee, National Museums of Kenya and Private Safaris (K) Ltd., the Lake Turkana Festival has become an important element of Kenya's annual event calendar.

From 18 to 20 May 2012, the Lake Turkana Festival will take place in Loiyangalani for the fifth consecutive year. Focusing on the sustainability of the event, the Festival will be built around its core, i.e. the presentation of cultural dances and traditions of the participating communities, and cover issues relevant to the region.

From a cultural point of view, the event will feature unique performances and demonstrations of ten ethnic communities which live in the Lake Turkana region: El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Dassanach, Ghabra, Borana, Konso, Wata and Burji.

Do you know what a Ghabra or a Burji looks like at all? Or better yet: have you ever seen them sing and dance in their traditional ways? Have you ever been able to visit the living room of a Dassanach's hut? Have you ever tried the food of any of these communities? Where will you ever be able to witness that if not during the Lake Turkana Festival in Loiyangalani in Northern Kenya? more info: www.laketurkanafestival.com