GABRA OF KENYA

Population: 26,000 (23,000 in Kenya; 3,000 in other countries)
Location: Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia

The nomadic Gabra had roamed freely back and forth over the Kenya/Ethiopia border until border posts restricted their access. As a result, more camels, more cattle and more goats had to share the limited grazing and water in the semi-arid Northern Frontier District of Kenya. Families moved with the herds; their collapsible huts made of small tree limbs with animal skins or mats were loaded on the camels. In the mid-eighties, severe droughts came; there was no rain; water holes and wells dried up. Entire herds were lost by many Gabra herdsmen and hunger forced these proud people to look for help.
Unskilled except in animal husbandry, the illiterate herdsmen moved their families to trading posts and government centers in search of food. Help was received but for many there was no way to rebuild their herds. The fortunate few are again moving their herds, always looking for grazing and water. Cattle rustling has always been a part of the life of the nomadic cattle herder. Today, rustlers come with AK 47 rifles; thousands of cattle are stolen and often herders are killed or wounded.
Highly ritualistic, the Gabra worship one God called "Waqqa". Once a year they gather at the Yola (homestead) to make their animal sacrifice to Waqqa. This sacrifice is to insure that they keep everything in "balance" with Waqqa and in their relationships with each other and Waqqa. This is also the time when the elders of the tribe meet for long discussions of any matters concerning their community. Then they will part again, the women, elders, children, sheep, goats and producing cows and camels stay at the homestead while the men and boys move every few days in their quests for water and grazing.
Few are literate. The children go to school but later lose their educational abilities because they do not continue to read. Health Care, shelter and education are poor. Availability of water is fair and their diet of milk, meat, beans and ground corn is considered adequate.
Work among the nomadic Gabra is difficult because it requires the constant move of the teacher as well. Islam is making huge strides with their mosques in every town, educational facilities and their teachers that travel along with the men and boys and their herds.
The language used is Borana and they are linked with the larger Boran Tribe numbering over 68,000.