Many hundreds of years ago a group of people, along with their camels, headed
out on a long and difficult trek through the desert. However, because of the
harsh conditions, they were soon out of food. After seeking deliverance from
their God Waakh , he answered by telling them to put sand into their pots,
which by the following morning would turn to grain. To help them in their long
journey Waakh then held a full and unmoving moon in the sky to illuminate
their nighttime travels.

Later, when the people were dying of thirst, Waakh sent them
a young virgin girl with a black mouth who was the most
beautiful woman they had ever seen. She took a chisel and
pounded it into the ground creating a spring that has flowed
abundantly up to this day. At this point they had nearly
reached their destination but had one last obstacle to
overcome: a great lake. In order to cross it the Rendille knew
that one of their own had to be sacrificed. A powerful and
famous warrior was chosen and soon waded out into the sea
and as he breathed his last breath the waters began to
separate, forming a trail that would lead his people to their
new home. A year later the trek was over and the Rendille
had found a new place to live: the northern deserts of
modern day Kenya.

OHS has worked with the Rendille since
2005 and is currently working on an exhibit
and photo book and hopes to build an
educational center in the village of Korr.

View a slideshow on the Rendille people and their homeland in the Kaisut Desert.

Watch the movie trailer for Banayye, Open Hand's film about an ancient Rendille myth.

Find out what it's like to visit Rendilleland in this article.