Pokomo sub groups

Pokomo sub groups

The Pokomos are divided into two major groups:

A) Those who live along the Upper Part of the Tanariver, are called Wantu wa Dzuu.

This group is composed of;

Wamilalulu

Wazubaki

Wandura

Wakinakomba

Wagwano

Wandera






                                                               
B) Those who live along the lower part of the River are called Malanchini.

This group is composed of the following;


Wamwina

Wakulesa

Wangatana

Wadzunza

Wakalindi

Wamunyo Yayu or Wakorokoro

Wawelwan or Malakote

Wabuu

The Pokomo Tribe

The Pokomos are one of the many ethnic groups which are found in Kenya, they are among the minor ones. There are more than 42, being  the major ones the Kikuyu ( the tribe of  President  UHURU KENYATTA) and the Luo (HON. RAILA ODINGA).

These tribes are grouped into three main language groups: 

• Bantu speaking Tribes
• Cushitic speaking Tribes  
• Nilotic Speaking Tribes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

The name Pokomo originated from a Giriama word (yet another Bantu speaking tribe). The Giriama tradition explains that as the tribes were running away from their aggressors, when they finally arrived to the river, there was a pregnant woman who was not able to go on. So, the other Bantu tribes went on and left the Pokomos behind. As the lady was Mimbakomu, meaning "pregnant woman" this gave rise to the word  Pokomo. This is how the Pokomos ended up settling along the River Tana, they are known to be a tribe which cannot live far from water and even nowadays you will find most of the Pokomo Villages  along this river. The language we speak is therefore called Kipokomo.