The lavender town Embu is the provincial
headquarters of Eastern Province and is 120 kilometres
away from the capital city of Nairobi. As you get into
the city you will have the opportunity to see the rice
paddies in Mwea and if you are up to it venture into
the seven forks dam where most of Kenya’s electricity
is generated.
For those travelling by road to Mombasa you will be
sure to spot the Makindu Sikh Temple.
The origins of the temple stem from the early 1900’s
when a lot of sikhs came to Kenya to help build the
Railway from Port Florence (currently Kisumu City) to
Mombasa. In present day the Gurdwara, as it is otherwise
known, offers free rest and nourishment to travellers
on the highway. However you are free to leave a donation
of your choice.
Further south in Tsavo is the Etani Lava Flows
make for spectacular sight and photography
for those travelling by air. This area is completely
bare of plant life and the volcanic eruptions are deemed
to be as a result of evil spirits by locals. The 200
years old Etani lava flows and caves are an amazing
treat for the adventure seeker. Remember to carry a
torch when going for an exploration. There is a walking
trail at the Chaimu lava Flows that can take one to
the very rim of the crater.
Culture
Shaba and Maralal are home to the samburu.
Samburu, which actually means butterflies in English
are actually closely related to the Maasai community.
They share a dialect and are also pastoralists but are
distinctly different in a number of ways. Unlike the
Maasai who wear flowing shukas, the samburu
tie the shukas around their waists but add
a white sash to their waist. In addition the samburu
do not cover their bodies and hair with red ochre like
the Maasai do but instead decorate their upper bodies
and heads with patterns. The samburu are nomads and
their staple diet is milk and blood. Who knows if you
get to visit their manyattas you just might
get to taste this delicacy.
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