Pokomo

The Pokomo are an ethnic group of Kenya, who are predominantly agriculturalists living along the Tana River in the Tana River District. They speak a language of the Niger-Congo group.

References

* [http://www.btlkenya.org/ProjectInfo/Pokomo.dsp literacy and translation work among the Lower Pokomo]
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=poj Ethnologue and bibliography information on Pokomo] The pokomo mostly live along the River Tana where they grow their crops.The pokomo council of elders are known as Gasa where they deal with solving disputes like marriage disputes,land disputes,family conflicts among others.The Pokomo dances include Kithoko,Mwaribe,Miri among others and these are usually played at various ceremonies.The passage to adulthood for men is by initiation which involve circumcision.They dont practice Female Genetical Mutilation.It is the community where the Kenyan National Anthem tune was derived:Lullaby song

Sub GroupsUpper Pokomo(Wantu wa Dzuu)MilaluluZubakiNduraKinakombaGwanoNdera

Lower Pokomo(Malanchini)MwinaMalanchini

NOTABLE POKOMOHon Yuda Komora...Former MP, assistant Minister and Permanent SecretaryHyslop Ipu........State House Comptroller...KenyaDanson Mungatana...MPPhares Kuindwa.....Former Head Of Civil ServiceShari Martin.......Prominent Gospel MusicianTola Kofa..........Former MPJaphet Kase........Former MP