Kenya's Samburu tribe evicted from their land - in pictures

Samburu women sing a song in Isiolo in the north of Kenya Photograph: Zhao Yingquan/Xinhua

A makeshift village on the outskirts of the Eland Downs, where Samburu families have been forced to relocate after their homes were burnt down in police raids Photograph: Samburu Watch

Following waves of violence from the police, the Samburu began legal proceedings against African Wildlife Foundation and ex-president Daniel Arap Moi to plead for their rights to the land. The hearing is underway, but a court demand for no further harassment of the Samburu has been ignored Photograph: Federica Miglio/Survival International

The Samburu now live exposed to the elements in makeshift huts in the bush after police evictions forced them from their homes Photograph: Samburu Watch

The Samburu are very spiritual, praying every day to a god called Ngai. Age determines social status among men: each has to go through various stages before becoming a powerful elder Photograph: Eric Lafforgue/Getty Images

The Samburu are a pastoral people who have lived in north Kenya for hundreds of years. Animals are extremely important to them; they herd cows, camels and goats. During the brutal evictions, 10,000 cows and goats were impounded by police. Some were slaughtered, while others were eventually returned Photograph: Federica Miglio/Survival International

Most Samburu still wear traditional dress. The women wear colorful beaded necklaces and the number displayed is a sign of wealth, often given as a dowry. They wear bright clothes, usually red and pink. To protect their eyes from the sun, Samburu warriors often paste their hair with ochre which creates a visor Photograph: Eric Lafforgue/Getty Images

Samburu children, now forced to squat with their parents after being forced from their homes Photograph: Samburu Watch/Survival International

The Samburu are closely related to the Masai. Like the Masai, they live in the Rift valley in Kenya. Their livelihood depends on, cattle, sheep and goats. They often drink milk mixed with cow's blood. Like their neighbours, they have to search for water and grazing land which leads them away from their homes during dry seasons Photograph: Eric Lafforgue/Getty Images

The Samburu can be found on the semi-arid northern plains of Kenya Photograph: Federica Miglio/Survival International

The word 'Samburu' means 'butterfly' in the language of Masai. They are so named for their striking traditional clothes, colorful beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets Photograph: Zhao Yingquan/Xinhua