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People Profile
The Rendille of Kenya
Population: 32,000 (1996)
Religion:
Local Tradition
Registry of Peoples code(s): Rendille: 108354
Registry of Languages code(s) (Ethnologue): Rendille: rel
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NARRATIVE PROFILE
Location:
The Rendille lead a peaceful nomadic life in north central Kenya. They cling to a nomadic life of herding camels, goats and cattle. Harassed constantly by the more powerful groups of Oromo and Turkana, these people lead an extremely harsh existence. Some sources also report problems with the Somali, but the Somali have had a relatively benevolent view of eh Rendille as distant relatives.
History:
Before 1500, the ancestors of the Rendille were part of the same people and speaking the same "Somaloid" or Proto-Somali language with the ancestors of the Somali, Sakuye and Gabbra people. This people were already organized round a complex camel culture at that time. This included an extensive ritual calendar, based on dual lunar and solar calendars involving ceremonies for the well-being of camels and humans.
The 16th century Oromo expansion brought great disruption to these Somaloid peoples causing migrations south and westward from their southern Ethiopia and Somalia homes. These peoples were further separated when some groups of them developed ritual kinship arrangements with Oromo (Borana) peoples for protection. The Rendille were the southernmost of these Somaloid peoples and maintained their own culture and language more intact.
Identity:
The Rendille consist of nine clans called the white Rendille, plus one clan called Odoola. These clans have from 2 to 7 subclans. They are culturally similar to the Gabbra, having adopted some Borana customs and being related to the Somali people to the east.
Their language is closely related to Somali, but their allies are the Samburu to the South. One group of the Rendille, the Ariaal, are ethnically Rendille, but speak Samburu. The Ariaal no longer speak the Rendille language and are in reality a different people group. The Ariaal follow Samburu clan groupings and initiation rites.
Language:
The Rendille language is related to the Somali languages in the Eastern Cushite family of the Afro-Asiatic languages.
Customs:
The Rendille live in large semi-permanent villages of married men, women and children and move two to three times each year. A small herd of milk camels is maintained near the settlement, milked by the women for family use. The main herds of camels are herded by older boys and young men, moving frequently to find good grass and water.
Camels need to be watered only every 10-14 days but at that time drink enormous amounts. This is brought up from deep water holes by hand by the young men. Large flocks of sheep and goats are shepherded by the girls and unmarried women.
Their animals are very closely identified with the life of each family. The days of the week and seasons of the year are named for the various aspects of caring for the camels.
Marriage patterns are exogamous, between sub-clans or major clans. The Rendille follow a 14-year generation initiation pattern.
Religion:
Their ceremonies are similar to Old Testament Jewish traditions, providing a basis for discussion of Christ's sacrifice and an opportune introduction to personal salvation. Traditionally the Rendille are a very religious people, believing in one God, an omnipresent creator and provider who answers prayer and cares for the poor.
They practice many magical rituals, involving their camels or sheep. For example, the way a certain bull camel approaches a proposed new settlement area is taken as a good or bad omen. A propitious camel may be placed outside the camp facing the direction of an expected enemy attack in order to prevent the attack.
Various clans observe specific taboos (avoidance rituals).
Christianity:
There has been little active ministry targeting the Rendille. Some Rendille have become Christians outside their cultural context. Sources estimate that about 5% of the Rendille have become Christian.
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Bibliography
Schlee, Günther. "Interethnic Clan Identities Among Cushitic-Speaking Pastoralists," Africa, 55 (1), 1985.
-----. Identities on The Move: Clanship and Pastoralism in Northern Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: Gideon S. Were Press, 1994.
Orville Boyd Jenkins and an Anonymous Contributor
June 1996
Last updated 22 August 2007
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