The Digo are a group of people who are part of the Mijikenda ethnic group. As a tribe, the Digo are traditionally associated with the area of Mombasa between the Tanzanian border and the Kenyan border. As a coastal Bantu community, they speak the Chidigo language and are known as the Mijikenda.
The Digo are a Bantu tribe and are actually grouped together with eight other tribes. Together these tribes make up the Mijikenda, or “nine towns.” These tribes include: Giriama, Duruma, Rabai, Kambe, Chonyi, Jibana, Kauma and Ribe. Around the 17th century, the Mijikenda originated from the region of Shungwaya in southern Somalia and settled along the coastal hinterlands of the region in villages known as ‘kaya’. Kaya is a fortified village around the coast. At present, there are eleven ‘makaya‘ inscribed on the List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Ancient Migration and settlement of the Digo
In Southern Somalia, the Digo were the first people to face off against the Oromo invasion. Having been forced to flee down the coast, they were forced to find refuge in Shimba Hills which was located southwest of Mombasa County. This is where Kaya Kwale was built. In the later years of the settlement, some of these inhabitants left Kaya Kwale and built Kaya Kinondo by the coast north of Gazi. To this day, the ‘Makaya’ are being conserved and promoted as a source of cultural tourism by the elders.
During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Digo experienced a time of great famine. It became common practice for them to give either themselves or their children as kore, or “blood money,” to serve as temporary collateral for a loan of food. Sadly, there were many times when the debt could not be redeemed, thus leaving them to live as slaves. Many of the Digo who were brought to Mombasa as slaves later obtained their freedom by converting to Islam.
The religion of the Digo tribe
As part of their traditional belief system, the Digo have historically worshipped God (Mulungu) and ancestral spirits to whom they regularly offered sacrifices and prayed for help from time to time. As far as health and spiritual issues are concerned, witch doctors were consulted by people. In today’s Digo society, the majority of the people are Muslims.
Islam is more widely accepted among the Digo than among any of the other Mijikenda tribes. Nevertheless, ties with traditional practices (such as animism and ancestor worship) still have more influence on the Digo community than does Islam. (Animism is the belief that non-human objects have spirits.
Ancestor worship is the practice of praying to deceased ancestors for help and guidance.) One example of spiritism is their use of blood sacrifices. Such sacrifices are very significant to the Digo, especially in the exorcism of evil spirits. Witchdoctors are also consulted regularly.
Most of the Digo people over forty years of age have no real understanding of the Koran. Only a few of them have studied Islam in any depth, and most of them have only a superficial knowledge of its principles and doctrines.
However, its presence among the Digo over the past eighty years has not gone entirely unnoticed. Its existence has altered both religious and political structures. For example, the people have adopted new attire and diets from their Muslim Arab neighbors.
Although they know no religious significance for wearing the black veil, Digo women wear it to show respect for their husbands. This nominal identification with the Muslim religion is referred to as “folk Islam.”
The lifestyle of the Digo tribe
Economic Structure
For many years the Digo have been involved in trade with Muslim Arabs. As a result, they have enjoyed a higher standard of living than most of their neighboring tribes. In addition to trading, farming and fishing are two other sources of income for the Digo. Their principal crop is “manioc,” a small shrub with thick roots that are eaten like potatoes. They also grow sesame, corn, rice, and beans. “Palm wine” is a popular drink produced from the palm tree.
The Social Structure
The Digo tribe formerly lived in large, fortified villages but today their villages only consist of about 40 huts each. The shape of each hut clearly indicates to the villagers who live inside. The huts of elders are round, while those of other people are rectangular.
When a young Digo man marries, he must pay the normal bride price of four heads of cattle, two goats or sheep, and palm wine. He is then incorporated into the bride’s family. Eventually, as he demonstrates leadership qualities, he will be accepted into the body of tribal elders.
The political Structure
Traditional to the senior age set, members are required to undergo an induction ceremony. This is where they are instructed on how to conduct rituals and customs in accordance with their age group. They then came together to form a council of elders, known as ‘kambi’, and selected a member who was both wise and well-respected to lead their council as their chairman. A number of members of the council assisted him as he deliberated on matters brought before them, such as land disputes and witchcraft cases. Additionally, he handed out punishments to the citizens, such as fines, expulsion, and death for those who committed such crimes. Additionally, the council was responsible for officiating ceremonies during the meeting.