This carved wooden bowl was made and used by the Turkana people of northwestern Kenya. It served to hold liquids such as milk or water, as well as porridge, foods central to the Turkana diet. Its rounded shape and light weight made it easy to carry, aligning with the needs of a mobile, pastoral lifestyle.
 
This particular bowl shows a natural patina from long-term use, along with darkened patches and markings from contact with organic materials. A small piece of cloth near the rim was likely used for hanging or holding the bowl, offering a practical way to transport or secure it when not in use.
 
The Turkana are semi-nomadic pastoralists who inhabit Kenya’s arid northwest. Livestock herding shapes much of their economic and social life, and their material culture reflects values of resilience, mobility, and function. Bowls like this one are essential tools that also carry cultural meaning through their design, adaptation, and long-term use.