Kenyan tribal elders (R) and Samburu tribemen (L) dance in front of a statue of Buddha at the Gallmann nature conservancy near Kinamba, Laikipia, northern Kenya on Sunday. High Priest Shinso Ito and a group of Shinnyo-en priests arrived in Kenya to perform a Buddhist fire and water ceremony for the first time ever in Africa. The ceremony was attended by over 300 spiritual leaders and was streamed live on the internet to millions of viewers and devotees globally. The ceremony involved Kenyan tribal elders and members of the Njemps, Pokot Samburu, Kikuyu and Turkana communites.

Head Priestess Shinso Ito of the Japanese esoteric Buddhist sect, the Shinnyo-en is greeted by Kenyan Pokot tribal women as she arrives at the Gallmann nature conservancy.

A Njemps tribesman blows a horn at the Gallmann nature conservancy.

Japanese Buddhist Shinnyo-en priests light a ceremonial fire at the Gallmann nature conservancy.

Pokot tribeswomen are pictured at the Gallmann nature conservancy.