Nanyuki: The Garre community in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, has marked its second anniversary in commemoration of its rich cultural heritage. Garre is one of the Somali clans, spread across Kenya. The occasion, marked on August 27 annually, coincided with the newly declared Katiba day in the country, commemorated for the first time on Wednesday.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Garre community took the opportunity to showcase their rich culture through dances and a display of their traditional foods. The event attracted mainly women from the community, clad in their 'Garre' marked cultural attire. One of the participants, Sadia Ibrahim, revealed that the celebrations were primarily a women's affair, as minimal interaction with men helps them preserve their community's moral fabric. "It was an important day for us women, even in Mosques, we don't mix with men, this helps us in upholding our moral fabric. It was indeed an opportunity for us to showcase our uniqueness to the people," she said.
The participants acknowledged advancements in lifestyles due to fast-changing technology, emphasizing the need to adapt some traditions, such as clothing, to fit into modern society. However, they expressed the importance of passing on ancient artefacts and foods to the next generation. The community also called on the government for support in preserving their culture.