Shepherd Turkana (Kenya) Editorial Photo

Shepherd Turkana. The Turkana are a Nilotic people of Kenya (about 350,000), who live in the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, a dry and hot region bordering Lake Turkana. The Turkana are noted for raising camels and weaving baskets. In their oral traditions they designate themselves the people of the grey bull, after the Zebu, the domestication of which played an important role in their history. Livestock is an important aspect of Turkana culture. Goats, camels, donkeys, and sheep are the primary herd stock utilized by the Turkana people. In this society, livestock functions not only as a milk and meat producer, but as form of currency used for bride-price negotiations and dowries.