The Ogiek community in Narok County has marked the seventh Ogiek Cultural Day at the Nkareta Cultural Center and Museum on the fringes of the Mau Forest.
The annual event, organized by the Ogiek Peoples' Development Program (OPDP), brought together more than 300 visitors and community members under the theme “Cultural Resilience in Diversity.”
Elders used traditional songs, oral histories, food, blessings and indigenous knowledge to pass Ogiek heritage to younger generations. The museum also showcased traditional beadwork, pottery, handicrafts, proverbs, jewelry, sacred ornaments and other cultural artifacts.
OPDP Executive Director Daniel Kobei said preserving Ogiek culture is critical as the community faces challenges linked to globalization, climate change, environmental degradation and assimilation. He emphasized the community's deep connection to the Mau Forest and its role in biodiversity conservation.
