Tucked away in the remote highland forests of Kenya lives a little-known indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage – the Ndorobo people.
On our Maasai Trails walk through the Loita hills, part of our Walking Wild Kenya tour, we met a member of the Ndorobo tribe who talked us through some of their hunter gatherer tecniques including a display of how they hunt with a bow and arrow, how to make fire and also let us taste fresh honey collected from a bee-hive. The term Ndorobo is sometimes seen as derogatory. However, this is how he was introduced to us by our Maasai guides, and so I’ll continue to use it here.
The term “Ndorobo” (sometimes spelled Dorobo) comes from the Maasai word Il-torobo, meaning “those without cattle”. It was historically used to describe various hunter-gatherer groups who lived in the forests and survived by foraging, hunting and trading with their pastoralist neighbours. Though the term isn’t always favoured due to its associations with colonial classification, many still use it today to refer to certain indigenous forest-dwelling peoples in Kenya and northern Tanzania.
The Ndorobo are not one single tribe, but rather a collection of small communities that share similar lifestyles, including groups such as the Okiek and Kinare. They traditionally lived in harmony with the forests of the Mau Escarpment, Loita Hills, and other wilderness regions – places that still hold their stories and secrets.
A Life Rooted In Nature
For generations, the Ndoro have thrived off the land without leaving a heavy footprint. They hunted using bows and poisoned arrows, gathered wild honey (often climbing towering trees to reach hives), and used medicinal plants for healing. Their deep knowledge of the forest – from animal behaviour to seasonal patterns – is nothing short of extraordinary.
This sustainable way of life is intricately linked to the land. The forest is not just a home, but a living, breathing source of wisdom and spiritual connection.
Modern Challenges
Like many indigenous communities around the world, the Ndorobo have faced significant pressures from deforestation, land disputes and government policies that have pushed them off their ancestral lands. Their traditional way of life has become increasingly difficult to maintain, and with it, their cultural identity risks being eroded.
However, there is a growing recognition of their rights and contributions to conservation. Efforts are being made to preserve their language, customs and relationship with the natural world.
A Rare Opportunity: Meet a Ndorobo Elder
On our Walking Wild Kenya tour, you’ll have a rare chance to meet a member of the Ndorobo tribe in the Loita Hills. It’s not just a cultural exchange but a humbling reminder of how deeply humans can live in sync with the wild world.
Where can you find the Ndorobo People?
The Ndorobo are not a single, unified tribe but a collection of indigenous forest-dwelling communities spread across various parts of Kenya and northern Tanzania. Some of the main areas where Ndorobo groups traditionally live include:
- Loita Hills – Located in southern Kenya near the border with Tanzania, the Loita Hills are home to some Ndorobo communities, particularly those closely connected to the Maasai. This forested region is sacred to many indigenous peoples and is one of the last remaining tracts of true wilderness in the area.
- Mau Forest Complex – The Mau Forest, one of Kenya’s largest indigenous montane forests, has historically supported several Ndorobo groups – especially the Okiek people, one of the best-known Ndorobo subgroups. This region spans multiple counties in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
- Mount Elgon Region – Some Ndorobo communities have also lived around the Mount Elgon forests, on the border of Kenya and Uganda. These communities rely heavily on beekeeping and traditional forest harvesting practices.
- Aberdare and Cherangani Hills – these highland forest areas have also been home to smaller Ndorobo groups, who traditionally practiced hunting, gathering, and honey collection.
In all these regions, the Ndorobo have lived in close connections with nature – relying on forests for shelter, food, medicine and spiritual practices. Though many have been been displaced or assimilated into neighbouring communities, there are still elders and knowledge-keepers preserving this unique way of life.
Rituals & Spiritual Life
Rituals among the Ndorobo are closely tied to the natural world. Many spiritual belief center around forest spirits, ancestral connections, and a deep respect for wildlife.
Some practices include:
- Initiation Rites: Like many other indigenous Kenyan communities, the Ndorobo performing initiation ceremonies that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. These rites often involve seclusion in the forest, teachings from elders, and symbolic acts of courage and maturity.
- Hunting Rituals: Traditional hunting was not just about survival – it was deeply ceremonial. Before setting out, hunters would often perform rituals asking for success and protection, and after a successful hunt, offerings might be made to forest spirits or ancestors.
- Honey ceremonies: Honey gathering is not just an economic activity but a sacred act. The first harvests of the season were often shared in communal ceremonies, honoring the bees and the forest for their gifts.
- Healing and Herbalism: Rituals involving medicinal plants, smoke cleansing, and spiritual healing were conducted by community healers. These ceremonies often addressed both physical ailments and emotional or spiritual imbalances.
