Journey through Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana, Kenya.









 

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The Turkana People and Culture: Pastoralism, Cattle Raiding and Peace.

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 As a community, the Turkana people rely mainly on Pastoralism which involves keeping livestock as their primary source of livelihood. This livestock also serve economic and cultural purposes as they symbolize economic status and are used in traditional events such as dowry ceremonies. Socio-culturally, pastoralism is a measure of social status in among the Turkanas and it functions as wealth, dowry payment, and settlement of disputes. Picture of Turkana pastoralist homestead (Manyatta). While this practice is responsible for the survival of the Turkana in a climatically hostile region, it has, over the years, also been characterized by dangers emanating from the conflicts over scarce water and pasture, which are essential in the region. Furthermore, frequent cattle raids between the pastoralist communities in Kenya's Northern region and cross-border communities in South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia also pose a significant risk and often lead to mutual suspicion of neighbouring...
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 For so many years, and in many fundraising posters and images, the picture portrayed of a refugee camp in Kenya is that of an establishment of hopeless, malnourished and naked children in a dusty and bare land. Some images show older people, mostly women lined up behind some fences, seemingly waiting for aid workers' help, who in this case are UNHCR officers. But that is not the factual reflection of a refugee camp. In reality, it is made up of so many things: different nationalities, schools, hospitals, markets, hotels, and even fish farms. A refugee camp like Kakuma, which has been in place for at least 30 years is a melting pot of cultures and a beehive of activities.  Reception area in Kalobeyei, Kakuma. This does not mean, however, that it is a pleasant place. As much as it is meant to be a place of protection and care for the thousands fleeing conflicts and persecution, it is also a mechanism of control where refugee lives are in constant risk of abuse, both by the host...
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