The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival, also known as Tobong’u Lore is Kenya’s largest cultural event. The event was first opened by Kenya National Museums in June 2008 with the goal of showcasing the customs and lives of eight people living around Lake Turkana. It’s also the year when the Loiyangalani Desert Museum opened its doors for the first time.
Every year in June, a three-day carnival is held as part of the festivities on the main street, during which the people display a variety of their cultural heritage, including songs, food, dancing outfits, rituals, and antiques. The true purpose of this celebration, on the other hand, is said to be the reconciliation of the communities involved. It is designed to improve the poor relationship between the Borana, Burji, Dassanech, Elmolo, Gabbra, Garee, Konso, Rendille, Sakuye, Samburu, Somali, Turkana, and Wata tribes who reside near Lake Turkana and are linked with Loiyangalani.
The event reaches its pinnacle on the third afternoon of the festivities when the entire town descends on the festival grounds. The community leaders give speeches in turn. Following the speeches, the tribes take turns demonstrating their cultural traditions to onlookers, mostly through song and dance. A “message-driven drama” is presented after the sun sets, followed by a traditional costume fashion show and a “disco capped by a famous local vocalist.”
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