SUMMARY

The Orma is an ethnic group inhabiting the desert region along Tana River in south-eastern Kenya. It is one of the smallest of Kenya´s over 70 different ethnic groups, numbering between 65 000 - 70 000. The Orma is very closely related to the Wardei and they are only considered to be distinct groups since the 19th century. Both groups originate from the Ormo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. The process that led to the formation of the Orma and Wardei groups was initiated when the Ormo was conquered by the Somali in the early 19th century. While the group that today is called Orma fled into the Tana River region, the present-day Wardei were taken captive and were enslaved in Somalia. Around 1930, this group could leave Somalia and joined their relatives in the Tana River region of Kenya.

The Orma is a pastoralist and semi-nomadic tribe. However, despite the fact that the Tana River region mainly consists of desert, a growing minority is involved in farming. The Orma mainly keep cattle, goats and sheep and, more seldom, camels and donkeys. Generally, cattle are central to Orma culture as they are the main source of food, serve as bride price and have many ritual functions. The high value ascribed to cattle has resulted in frequent cattle raids against neighbouring groups, including the closely related Wardei.

The Orma has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.