The Samburu live just north of the equator in the Rift Valley province of Northern Kenya. The Samburu are closely related to the Maasai of East Africa. They speak a similar language, derived from Maa, which is called Samburu.

The Samburu are semi-nomadic herdsmen. cattle, as well as sheep, goats and camels, are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and way of life since they depend on their animals for survival. Their diet consists mostly of milk and sometimes blood from their cows.

The blood is collected by making a tiny nick in the jugular of the cow, and draining the blood into a cup. The wound is then quickly sealed with hot ash. Meat is only consumed on special occasions.