Buddhist priests from Japan have conducted a symbolic healing ceremony in an effort to bring warring ethnic groups in Kenya closer together.

Traditional dancers in warrior regalia performed alongside chanting Buddhist priests this week at a closing ceremony to the peace conference, which also included spiritual leaders from India, Afghanistan, Europe, and the United States.

The conference brought together representatives from Kenya's Samburu, Pokot, Njemp and Turkana communities for a weeks-long effort in Laikipia, Kenya.

A youth, from the Pokot ethnic group, said participating in the yoga, acrobatics, and dance workshops gave him a new idea of how to express himself.

“When you just sit back no one will ever know who you are. Only people at home will know you, but I have found with acrobatics we can stand out and people like the Turkana will know us.”

Kenya has long faced ethnic violence among communities fighting over water and land. Violence triggered after the 2007 presidential election led to the deaths of about 1,300 people, and 300,000 others were displaced from their homes before the attacks were stopped.

Kenya is scheduled to hold its next election this year.