Pokomos are an ethnic group of Kenya, from the Bantu language group. They live along the Tana River riverine and the flood plains. 'Tana' comes from the word 'Chana ', which means river. The Pokomo have always referred to River Tana as 'Chana Maro ', that is River Maro. Probably the word 'Chana' is coined from either side with the Kikuyu word 'Chania ', which is the same word that Kikuyu use to refer to one of the tributary of Tana: River Chania.There are two Pokomo groups, the lower Pokomos and the upper Pokomos. They are divided by linguistic and religious differences.The Upper Pokomo (a major sub-group of the Pokomo Bantu along the Tana River) live primarily in the middle/upper Tana reaches of Tana River County. Pokomo society recognizes Upper and Lower divisions and numerous sub-groups and clans.
Upper Pokomo practice flood-recession and canal-diversion farming (rice, maize, bananas, mangoes, vegetables) integrated with fishing and small stock. Traditional water-management channels distribute overbank floods to fields; these systems are documented along the Tana. Climate variability and extreme floods increasingly threaten riverine settlements and food security. Currently, 'sima' or 'ugali' in Kiswahili or stiff cornmeal porridge in English has become the main Pokomo dishUpper Pokomos have their own musical and ritual traditions. The National Museums of Kenya have curated artifacts for public display.
About two-thirds of the Upper Pokomos are Sunni Muslims. They have been Muslims since the late 19th to early 20th centuries.They also practice traditional religion. 'Kijo' is a group of elders who were believed to possess spiritual powers and were sought whenever the community needed spiritual guidance. There were times during the year when people would gather near the sacred places in the night, singing and dancing 'Gangana', and the spiritual leader would emerge from the forest in the middle of the night, walking on poles covered with a white dress and his face covered with a mask. He will walk around and return to the forest, leaving behind a hysterical group of people who believe their prayers have been answered. Within the Kijo there were two other groups i.e. the 'Gangana' or healers and the 'Chawi' or witches. 'Kijo' were very powerful and they had absolute powers to take by force family lands and banish anybody from 'gaga dya Maro '- Maroland if he goes against the Pokomo norms. The Political governance of the Pokomo was headed by the 'Gasa '. This was also a group of council of elders who were revered and believed to possess wisdom on solving political and administering justice. The 'Gasa' is the only elder group that is still in existence, and it is sought to give political guidance to the Pokomo community to date. The Gasa has also been formally recognized to dispense justice on land and family cases.
Upper Pokomos need education and opportunities for new ways to earn a living.
Pray for Scripture engagement and oral storying in Kipfokomo among Muslim-background families.Pray for locally trusted peacebuilders and leaders who model Jesus’ way amid resource stress.Ask for bi-vocational workers skilled in agriculture, health, and education to serve upstream communities.Pray for the Lord to provide them with the educational opportunities they need to thrive in the 21st century.Pray for the Pokomos to answer God’s call to take Christ to those who haven’t heard about our marvelous Savior.Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in their churches and families, bringing love and peace to their villages.
Scripture Prayers for the Pokomo, Upper in Kenya.
Maro Andy Tola.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokomo_people?utm_source=chatgpt.comKenyan census datahttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09640568.2021.1897973?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.btlkenya.org/our-work/bible-translation/pokomo-translation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
