Nagayati: Arts and Architecture Among the Gabra Nomads of Kenya

Synopsis: NAGAYATI, which means ‘be in peace’, explores the arts and architecture of the Gabra nomads in northern Kenya. The Gabra are one of the nomadic peoples living in the desert of the central part of northern Kenya, near the Ethopian border. Their culture has been little affected by the rapidly westernising society of the rest of Kenya. This film documents a marriage ceremony and shows many related activities in which the families of the bride and the bridegroom participate. The building of the new house, which takes several days, is one of the most important elements of the celebration. During the weeks and months prior to the wedding, the items to be used in the house are made, mainly by women, from the scarce materials found in the desert. The artifacts and the building of the house building are shown within the context of daily life in the Gabra community, and these activities culminate in several days of ritual interaction during the ceremony itself.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 50 min.
Year of production: 1991
Availability: Hire; 1999 hire: £15.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects: Anthropology
Keywords: Gabra; Kenya; marriage customs; nomadic communities

Director

Peter Oud

Producer

Peter Oud

Writer

Labelle Prussin

Cast

Mary Donovan

Name: Royal Anthropological Institute Film & Video Library, c/o Concord Media
Email: sales@concordvideo.co.uk
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Fax: 01473 274531
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