Introduction to Culture and Heritage Experiences

Introduction

Visitors can expect the Kenyan’s hospitable nature to enhance their travels, from the constant friendly Swahili greeting “Jambo” to receiving a safari wakeup call with a hand-delivered hot cup of Kenyan coffee. Foreign visitors are interesting to native Kenyans, and Caucasian travelers (“mzungus” in Swahili) can easily draw friendly attention. Clients can experience personal interactions with the Maasai, Samburu, Swahili, Turkana, Pokot, El Molo, Rendille, and other indigenous tribes through a village visit to learn about customs and life of an everyday Kenyan. They could even observe a real Maasai wedding if they so desire! Gathering insight into this living culture provides travelers with an amazing understanding of this country and its people, many of whom live side-by-side with animals in nature. It’s all part of the Kenyan travel experience.

Kenya Ethnic Tribes

Kenya boasts both cultural and natural diversity. It is home to more than 42 different ethnic groups. If you were to travel across the country, you’d see the Indian Ocean, towering mountains, and vast savannas. You will hear over 60 different languages. You will taste the unique flavors of the many different types of Kenyan food. It is a truly diverse and vibrant country.

The Kenyan culture, which has evolved over the centuries, is rich and very much alive. It can be seen in the visual arts, applied arts, Kenyan food, music, dance, sports, fashion, literature, theatre, and the Kenyan people.

****Suggestion for image: A collage of different ethnic groups in Kenya, showcasing their traditional attire and activities.****

Art & Craft

The Kenyan culture can be seen through the arts and crafts designed by different communities. They are made of locally available materials and include woodcarvings, beaded necklaces, bracelets, masks, baskets, figurines, etc. At the Nairobi National Museum, you can experience Kenya’s rich cultural heritage through artifacts. There are also prints and paintings done by local artists.

****Suggestion for image: Various Kenyan crafts such as beaded jewelry, woodcarvings, and baskets.****

Music & Dances

Every community in Kenya has its own music and dance, and all you have to do to get a glimpse of the country’s musical diversity is tune into any of the more than 10 vernacular radio stations.

Various restaurants in town have theme nights when music from a particular community is exclusively played. Since the early 1990s, Kenya’s contemporary music started to grow, and today it is among the most vibrant in Africa. This can be experienced in the different cultural festivals in different parts of the country. (Must-attend cultural festivals and events are included in the list)

****Suggestion for image: A traditional Kenyan dance performance.****

Literature & Theatre

There are many books about Kenya that portray the country’s rich culture. Some of the notable titles include "Facing Mount Kenya" by Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first President, "Wizard of the Crow" by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, "Out of Africa" by Karen Blixen (also known by the pseudonym of Isak Dinesen), which inspired the Oscar-winning movie of the same name, and "Unbowed" by Wangari Maathai, the winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.

Every year, the Kenya National Drama Festival is held across the country. The co-curricular activity, which is run by the Ministry of Education, aims to tap and nurture creative talent among the Kenyan youth.

****Suggestion for image: A scene from a Kenyan theatre performance or a book fair.****

Fashion

The rich cultural fabric provides a perfect canvas for creativity and fashion that has resulted in a lot of fashionable products produced in Kenya, whether it’s for decorating homes, offices, open spaces, for daily use, or for wearing such as bracelets, clothing, and accessories. For example, Kiondos – woven handbags made from sisal with leather trimmings are popular locally and internationally.

Popular textiles include Kangas – women’s wraparound skirts with beautiful patterns, often with Kenyan proverbs imprinted on them, and kikois – a type of men’s sarong that comes in many different colors and textiles. Shopping in the Maasai markets for fashion items, and at fashion events such as Kenya Fashion Week where renowned Kenyan designers showcase their best pieces.

****Suggestion for image: A display of traditional Kenyan fashion items such as Kangas, kikois, and Kiondos.****