fbpx
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
  • Fiction
    • Short Stories & Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
  • Fiction
    • Short Stories & Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
International Maralal Camel Derby. Image from http://www.magicalkenya.com/what-to-do/events-and-festivals/maralal-camel-derby/

International Maralal Camel Derby. Image from http://www.magicalkenya.com/what-to-do/events-and-festivals/maralal-camel-derby/

Marvels of Maralal

Mwende Maritim by Mwende Maritim
September 15, 2015
in Lifestyle, Travel
Reading Time: 4 mins read
62 2
0
77
SHARES
425
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

Locals planning for a Kenyan safari often don’t consider ideas of touring an area that is semi-arid, characterized by rough terrain, desert crossings and untamed wilderness. But a trip to the Northern Kenya frontier will ignite your thrill for such a crazy safari. Via the Nyahururu- Nanyuki route, a journey to Turkana which is a haven for anthropological research and many more attractions, will require you to pass by Maralal town.

View image | gettyimages.com

Maralal is a quiet and small hillside town which lies east of Loroghi Plateau and located 348 Km from Nairobi City. It is the administrative headquarters of Samburu County and perhaps well known for the International Camel Derby which brings it to life.

International Maralal Camel Derby. Image from http://www.magicalkenya.com/what-to-do/events-and-festivals/maralal-camel-derby/
International Maralal Camel Derby. Image from http://www.magicalkenya.com/what-to-do/events-and-festivals/maralal-camel-derby/

Along the towns’ main street- Kenyatta Avenue, which is a short stretch of dusty road lined by wide trees and small wooden, tin roofed or stone mason buildings on either side, are many shops selling locally available fruits, fresh and juicy meat, creatively crafted beaded ornaments and brightly colored indigenous clothes.

The warm and jolly Samburu people are closely related to the Maasai. Thus, you will see many warriors (Moran’s) and women dressed in traditional regalia, with hair dyed in home-made red ochre and necks fully covered in the spectacular polished bead ornaments mainly in shades of blue, red and yellow.

 

Samburu Warriors in Maralal. Image from http://hazelvint.com/2013/09/13/samburu-county-and-the-camel-derby-at-maralal/hazel-vint-hazey-photography-africa-kenya-maralal-samburu-tribe-marriage-ceremony-camel-derby-kie-riedel-winner-43/
Samburu Warriors in Maralal. Image from http://hazelvint.com/2013/09/13/samburu-county-and-the-camel-derby-at-maralal/hazel-vint-hazey-photography-africa-kenya-maralal-samburu-tribe-marriage-ceremony-camel-derby-kie-riedel-winner-43/

A memorable display of culture is presented during the Samburu cultural exhibitions, especially held at the same time with the popular Camel Derby. During which guests can;

    • Learn the Samburu customs such as those showcased in the re-enacting of a traditional wedding.
    • Visit the local blacksmith who uses ancient tools and methods, and learn how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, how to make spears, swords, other implements for home use or warfare. On a good day, the muscled blacksmith may even custom make for you an engraved brass ornament.
    • Participate in the live performances of traditional song and dance and which are thoroughly enjoyed by both the locals and visitors.
    • Take nature walks which provide relaxation and insight on how the women folk construct traditional housing structures (Manyatta) using cow dung and the medicinal plants of the Samburu.
    • And of course, sample Samburu traditional foods and how they are made – especially milk, meat and blood.
View image | gettyimages.com

Other beautiful attractions worth exploring while in Maralal include;

1. Maralal National Sanctuary where one can see a lot of plains wildlife such as Zebra, Eland, Impala, Buffalo and Warthog.

2. The historical monument known as Kenyatta House. It is a small tin roof structure where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was detained in 1961 prior to his release. Apparently this is where our current president Uhuru Kenyatta was conceived.

3. The Yare Lodge which is an excellent accommodation venue and hosts the famous Maralal International Camel Derby every year in August. During the derby, guests are treated to camel races for both professionals and amateurs and a peace run featuring Moran’s from the different communities. For those not interested in camel riding, there are mountain bike races as well.

View image | gettyimages.com

Rest assured, a trip to Maralal will be extremely thrilling and worthwhile.

A  A Samburu warrior looks out across the eastern scarp of Africa's Great Rift Valley at Poro, Northern Kenya. Image Credit Nigel Pavitt. Image from http://www.artflakes.com/de/products/maralal-kenya-nigel-pavitt
A
A Samburu warrior looks out across the eastern scarp of Africa’s Great Rift Valley at Poro, Northern Kenya. Image Credit Nigel Pavitt. Image from http://www.artflakes.com/de/products/maralal-kenya-nigel-pavitt
Share31Tweet19SendShare5Pin7
Previous Post

Safaricom Foundation launches Technology For Good Fund

Next Post

Benefits of waking up early

Mwende Maritim

Mwende Maritim

Mwende Maritim is a budding freelance writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has always had a passion for well written content but began writing professionally in 2014. Her writing mainly covers lifestyle issues and anything to inspire people especially the teenagers she mentors.

Next Post
Chasing time. Image from http://www.early-riser.com/how-to-wake-up.html

Benefits of waking up early

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Sexy Cinderella It’s Almost Midnight – Part 10

September 1, 2014
2k

Barclays launches its Prosper Campaign.

April 15, 2014
737

Popular Stories

  • Photo by Keira Burton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-arguing-6147245/

    I Found Out Through A Family Funeral Contribution Group That The Man I Loved And Was Going To Marry Was Married To My Cousin

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 8 Men Share Their Worst Sugar Mummy Experiences

    58 shares
    Share 23 Tweet 15
  • How Can I Stop Getting Static Shocks? How To Get Rid Of Static In Your Home Or Office

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Health: 8 Benefits Of Pineapple Tea

    714 shares
    Share 286 Tweet 179
  • We Called Off Our Wedding At The Altar

    31 shares
    Share 12 Tweet 8

Potentash Blog

Potentash

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Explore

  • The Singlehood Series
  • From Stairs To Ramps
  • Man Around Nairobi
  • Pearls And Heels
  • Personal Finance
  • Food + Beverage
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Reviews

Get the Potentash Newsletter

  • Ethics Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
  • Fiction
    • Short Stories & Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In