Kalacha cultural food and music festival 2013 was a celebration of artistic creativity of great value and beauty. Thirteen communities, Borana, Burji, Daasanach, El-Molo, Gabbra, Garri, Konso, Rendille, Somali, Samburu, Saakuye, Turkana and the Waata, gathered for two days to celebrate their diversity through narratives, poetry, song, dance and drama providing a portrait of the meaning of life as experienced by the communities. The festival encapsulated the traditional knowledge, beliefs and values of communities in the Northern part of Kenya.

This annual event provided an opportunity to travel to and explore northern Kenya, formally known as the northern frontier district and to enjoy the myriad of colorful cultures while discovering the treasures of the region.

This cultural festival, organized for the second year running by Kivulini Trust highlights the trust’s commitment to keeping the traditional culture and crafts of indigenous communities alive. Opening with a spectacular traditional camel parade, the festival includes almost every aspect of northern Kenya’s cultures. Artisans demonstrated their traditional crafts while the arena was vibrant the entire two days with traditional song and dance.

The Konso and Burji demonstrated their hand weaving techniques learnt and passed on for many generations while the Gabbra women showed their unique skills of churning milk into ghee and butter. The Konso renowned blacksmiths demonstrated their skills to smelt iron into various valuable tools and ornaments. The Borana and Turkana showcased the art of beadwork to make intricate bracelets, necklaces and earrings. At these exhibits one watched as basket makers weaved palm fronds and straw into hats, baskets and containers decorated with colorful designs. Others cut leather and shaped it into sandals, pouches and bags all in the traditional style and using locally available materials.

Visitors got a rare chance to visit traditional homesteads of ten communities in one spot including the El molo, Waata, Daasanach, Burji, Saakuye, Rendille, Konso, Somali, Borana and Gabbra, within a cultural village.

This year’s festival was enriched by discussion forums that run parallel to the performances in the newly built Kalacha Cultural Centre hall. Drawing a host of distinguished scholars and practitioners in the region, the topics ranged from “the treasures of Northern Kenya”, “Pastoralism: Challenges and Opportunities”, “Ethnicity and Culture” to “the future of Northern Kenya”. It also brought on board the Marsabit and Isiolo county leadership led by the Marsabit Governor, Ambassador Ukur Yattani who lauded Kivulini Trust’s efforts and promised to support the development of Kalacha Cultural Centre and future festivals.

The festival was graced by a delegation of Ethiopians led by Dr. Wolde Tadesse who also demonstrated their vast traditional knowledge in meat handling and processing. Together with the Kenyan communities, they came to share and celebrate their music and dance traditions.

Although they all came from different cultural backgrounds and speak different languages, through the festival they all meet and celebrate in their diversity!