Dorobo peoples

They comprised client groups to the Maasai and did not practice cattle pastoralism.

The term 'Dorobo' derives from the Maa expression il-tóróbò (singular ol-torróbònì) 'hunters; the ones without cattle'.

[1] Groups that have been referred to as Dorobo include: A historical survey of 17 Dorobo groups in northern Kenya found that they each maintained a close rapport with their surrounding territory through their foraging.

Speaking the same language as their nomadic pastoralist neighbours, they would maintain peaceful relations with them and accepted a lower status.

If the political landscape shifted and new pastoralists entered the area, then the local Dorobo would switch to the new language and build up new relations, while clinging to their territorial niche.