Anointing vessel

Important Bantu village, just over four million, located in the southeastern part of Kenya, in the Ukambani region, formed by the counties of Kitui, Machakos and Makueni. There is an important colony of Kambas in Tanzania and a few thousand in Uganda, not counting the descendants of those who were taken as slaves to Paraguay.

The Kamba or Akamba speak the Bantu language Kikamba. Culturally and linguistically they are very related to the Kikuyo, Embu and other neighboring peoples, to such an extent that it is thought that the Kikuyu are descendants of the KambaTraditionally they have dedicated themselves to grazing, agriculture and elephant hunting, highlighting their ability as traders. They continue to practice these activities and mainly trade, which is joined by handicrafts such as ceramics, wood carving and basketry.

In the century XIX, peacefully resisted the colonizing army and many of them became soldiers of the Queen of Great Britain, but in the middle of the century XX Many of its leaders joined Mau Mau to recover Kenya for the Kenyans. It has always been, mostly, a dialogueal and peaceful people.

As most Animist peoples believe in a Creator God, omnipotent, transcendent and distant, Ngai or Mulungu. They practice the cult of ancestors, the Aimu, their main intercessors. One of its most important rituals is the Kilumi dance, accompanied by prayers and offerings intended to provoke rain, so important in drought-prone territories. And as most African peoples have great masters for music and dance, always present in all events of social and religious life.

Small pot of ointments for a funerary use. A very similar argaric vessel is found in the Archolçogic Museum of Almeria.