Warriors from Kenya’s Maasai region are visiting Suffolk - over 6,000 miles from home - to share their traditional songs and dancing.

The Osiligi tribe performed to a packed audience at St Mary’s Church in Harkstead on Friday night as they taught the crowd the meaning behind some of their music.

Hymns sung in their native language were paired with practical skills unique to their tribe, such as the incredible whistling the warriors use to direct their herds of cattle.

The tribe historically did not read and write, so tales of hunting lions and prayers to bless the fertility of their families are told through song and dance.

The Maasai are currently on their 17th tour of the UK, with the money raised through ticket sales and their wares going back to their village.

Ipswich Star: David Minisa and Miriam Mulumkei of the Osiligi Maasai warriors. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDDavid Minisa and Miriam Mulumkei of the Osiligi Maasai warriors. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Tour organiser John Curtin said: “When the tours started in 2003 the village was destitute - it was a collection of mud huts and the villagers would have to walk miles for water every day.

“Now there’s a permanent clinic in the village, a school that can hold 250 children which has improved literacy rates, and there’s three wells in the town too.

“It’s transformed their lives back at home and they show so many people in the county a different culture.”

Their final performance in Suffolk will be on Monday at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich at 7.30pm.

Ipswich Star: The group are heading to Ely Cathedral and St Nicholas' Church in Dereham on Sunday and St Joseph's College in Ipswich on Monday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDThe group are heading to Ely Cathedral and St Nicholas' Church in Dereham on Sunday and St Joseph's College in Ipswich on Monday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The warriors of the Osiligi Maasai tribe, on their 17th tour in the UK. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDThe warriors of the Osiligi Maasai tribe, on their 17th tour in the UK. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: St Mary's Church in Harkstead is the smallest stop on the troupe's tour of the UK. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDSt Mary's Church in Harkstead is the smallest stop on the troupe's tour of the UK. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)