THE NILOTES
Origin, Migration and Settlement
The Nilotes are a group of people whose identification is basically so given in relation to their
place of origin, which can be traced to the areas drained by the River Nile in the Sudan and
Ethiopian Highlands. They are the second largest group of the people of Kenya. The Nilotes
occupied mainly shores of Lake Victoria and Turkana, the plains and Highlands of the Rift
Valley.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE NILOTES
PLAIN NILOTES HIGHLAND NILOTES RIVER-LAKE NILOTES
Maasai Pokot Luo
Samburu Nandi
Burkeneji Kipsigis
Njemps Keiyo
Teso Marakwet
Turkana Tugen
Endorois
Terik (Nyang’ori)
Sabaot
Bongomek
Ogiek (Dorobo)
a. River- lake Nilotes
They can be simplified in four groups
Joka Jok
Joka Owiny
Joka Omolo
Luo Abasuba
Joka Jok
These were the first group to arrive in Kenya. They settled at Ramogi hills in Imbo towards the
end of the 15th century. From Ramogi Hills they spread to Sakwa, Alego, Asembo, South Nyanza
and other areas of Nyanza.
Joka Owiny
They were the second major group to arrive. The group passed through the area near Mt. Elgon,
Mbale, Tororo and eventually settled in Samia, Alego and Uyoma. After some time they moved
to Kisumu, Nyakach and South Nyanza region by the 17th Century
Joka Omolo
The third group settled in Samia and Imbo region by 1600. From here they moved to South
Nyanza and other areas from the Luo Abasuba
Luo Abasuba
They were the last group who are now living in Rusinga and Mfangano islands in Lake Victoria.
FACTORS FOR THE MIGRATION OF THE RIVER LAKE NILOTES INTO KENYA
Population pressure in their original homeland
The need for more pasture and water for their livestock
External attacks from some neighbouring communities, for example, the Eastern Cushites
Internal conflicts within the community itself
Natural calamities in their ancestral land; drought and famine
Human and livestock epidemics in their homeland
The spirit of adventure among some individuals
The search for new fishing grounds
EFFECTS OF THE MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE RIVER-LAKE
NILOTES
Displacement of some communities who had settled in the region earlier, for example,
the Abagusii and the Abaluhya
Cultural interaction between the Luo and neighbouring communities which brought about
borrowing of words, for example, Nyasae to refer to God
Intermarriages between the Luo and the neighbouring communities
Population increase in the region where they settled
Increased conflict over control of resources in the region where they settled, for example,
between the Luo and the Kalenjin
Adoption of new economic activities, for example, between, the Luo took up crop
cultivation from the Bantu
Redistribution of population in the region, for example, the Abagusii moved from the
plains to the highlands
Increased trade between the Luo and the neighbouring communities. The Luo sold
mainly fish and livestock products in exchange mainly for iron tools and grains from the
Abagusii, Abaluhya, Kalenjin and the Maasai.
