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People Profile
The Rendille of Kenya
Religion: Local Tradition
Population: 32,000
Status: 5% Christian
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NARRATIVE PROFILE
Location: The Rendille lead a peaceful nomadic life in north central Kenya. They cling to a nomadic life of herding camels, goats and cattle. Harassed constantly by the more powerful groups of Oromo and Turkana, these people lead an extremely harsh existence. Some sources also report problems with the Somali, but the Somali have had a relatively benevolent view of eh Rendille as distant relatives.
History: Before 1500, the ancestors of the Rendille were part of the same people and speaking the same "Somaloid" or Proto-Somali language with the ancestors of the Somali, Sakuye and Gabbra people. This people were already organized round a complex camel culture at that time. This included an extensive ritual calendar, based on dual lunar and solar calendars involving ceremonies for the well-being of camels and humans.
The 16th century Oromo expansion brought great disruption to these Somaloid peoples causing migrations south and westward from their southern Ethiopia and Somalia homes. These peoples were further separated when some groups of them developed ritual kinship arrangements with Oromo (Borana) peoples for protection. The Rendille were the southernmost of these Somaloid peoples and maintained their own culture and language more intact.
Identity: The Rendille consist of nine clans called the white Rendille, plus one clan called Odoola. These clans have from 2 to 7 subclans. They are culturally similar to the Gabbra, having adopted some Borana customs and being related to the Somali people to the east.
Their language is closely related to Somali, but their allies are the Samburu to the South. One group of the Rendille, the Ariaal, are ethnically Rendille, but speak Samburu. The Ariaal no longer speak the Rendille language and are in reality a different people group. The Ariaal follow Samburu clan groupings and initiation rites.
Language: The Rendille language is related to the Somali languages in the Eastern Cushite family of the Afro-Asiatic languages.
Customs: The Rendille live in large semi-permanent villages of married men, women and children and move two to three times each year. A small herd of milk camels is maintained near the settlement, milked by the women for family use. The main herds of camels are herded by older boys and young men, moving frequently to find good grass and water.
Camels need to be watered only every 10-14 days but at that time drink enormous amounts. This is brought up from deep water holes by hand by the young men. Large flocks of sheep and goats are shepherded by the girls and unmarried women.
Their animals are very closely identified with the life of each family. The days of the week and seasons of the year are named for the various aspects of caring for the camels.
Marriage patterns are exogamous, between sub-clans or major clans. The Rendille follow a 14-year generation initiation pattern.
Religion: Their ceremonies are similar to Old Testament Jewish traditions, providing a basis for discussion of Christ's sacrifice and an opportune introduction to personal salvation. Traditionally the Rendille are a very religious people, believing in one God, an omnipresent creator and provider who answers prayer and cares for the poor.
They practice many magical rituals, involving their camels or sheep. For example, the way a certain bull camel approaches a proposed new settlement area is taken as a good or bad omen. A propitious camel may be placed outside the camp facing the direction of an expected enemy attack in order to prevent the attack.
Various clans observe specific taboos (avoidance rituals).
Christianity: There has been little active ministry targeting the Rendille. Some Rendille have become Christians outside their cultural context.
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RENDILLE STATUS SUMMARY
1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?
Ratio of pastors/evangelists to population: 1 for every 10,000
(total pastors or evangelists--3)
Ratio of missionaries to population:
1 missionary for every 15,000 persons
(total missionaries--24)
Who is Jesus Christ to them?
5% Believe
Jesus is the Son of God and name themselves Christians
0.2% Believe
in the Son of God and have accepted him as their Savior
?% Believe
Jesus is a prophet, teacher, good man, but not God's Son
95% Believe in local,
traditional religion rather than in Jesus
50% Have not really
heard who Jesus is
2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?
Only about 60 profess to be true believers. Of these, all but
two have been totally alienated from their culture. They became believers
while away at school and have left the nomadic lifestyle.
3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?
Ratio of churches to population:
1 church for every 5,000
persons (total churches--6)
Total number of communities (cities, towns, villages):
The people
are traditionally nomadic though some move around near the settlements
of Korr and Kargi. The only people in settlements are those who have
children in school, or those too poor to have pack animals. Many
have lost all their animals to raiders or to drought.
4. DO THEY HAVE THE BIBLE TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?
Mark's Gospel and Galatians have been translated. Mark is printed
in a trial edition and Galatians is ready and waiting for printing.
5. ANY HINDRANCES TO THE USE OF SCRIPTURE? Literacy Rate:
1%
No, people are not antagonistic. Literacy classes are just beginning.
6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Some Gospel Recordings and many BTL scripture tapes are on cassettes.
Also the spoken word is preached by pastors and missionaries.
7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?
The Rendille live on the edge of survival in the most arid area of
Kenya. They are known to be totally opposed to change. They
do not oppose the gospel, but since their own religion is so like the Old
Testament, they easily give lip-service to Christ because they feel it
does not contradict what they believe. We do not see any real heart
change. They cling to what they know for survival.
8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE FROM MISSIONARIES?
Yes. Even the pastors find it difficult to bring across the gospel
so that it is meaningful for the Rendille. The Rendille have quite
high morals and a monotheistic religion. They feel they are righteous.
They do not feel the need for deliverance, forgiveness or salvation--very
much like Muslims.
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Bibliography
Schlee, Günther. "Interethnic Clan Identities Among Cushitic-Speaking Pastoralists," Africa, 55 (1), 1985.
-----. Identities on The Move: Clanship and Pastoralism
in Northern Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: Gideon S. Were Press,
1994.
Orville Boyd Jenkins and an Anonymous Contributor
June 1996
updated July 2000
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