Gography

Courtesy of: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookHomeInternal/139131/

Cortesy of: litikutours.com

courtesy of: http://kentanzatoursandsafaris.com/Kenyan_Safaris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nphe6O8TXy8&feature=player_detailpage

Kenya lies astride the equator the equator on the eastern coast of Africa.  It’s bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Lake Victoria and Uganda.  It is notable for its’ geographical variety of fertile coastal region with islands, its gradually rising coastal plain and its dry region covered with savanna and thornbush.  The northern part of the country (which forms 3/5 of the whole territory is of semidesert characteristics as is the southeastern quarter.  The principal rivers are the Tana and the Athi, the Ewaso Ngiro flowing northeast to the swamps of the Lorian Plain, and the Nzoia, Yala and Gori, which drain eastward into Lake Victoria.

The climate of Kenya is varied from the tropical humidity of the coast, through the dry heat of the hinterland and northern plains, to the cool air of the plateau and mountains. Mountain Kenya is perpetually snow-capped. The coastal temperature averages 27°C (80°F).  The capital, Nairobi, has a mean annual temperature of 19°C. The arid plains vary from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F). Seasonal variations are distinguished by duration of rainfall rather than changes of temperature; most regions of the country have two rainy seasons, the long rains falling between April and June, and the short rains between October and December.

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and has become the largest city.  Nairobi became to existence from the railroad with the building of the Kenya-Uganda railroad, and it has grown to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities as it houses the International Airport.

The Coastline is home to the Miki Kenda civilization of which there are nine tribes that inhabit the area.  Along the palm fringed coastline lies a spectacular coral reef running, almost uninterrupted, for a stretch of almost 480 kilometres. The area is teeming with marine life, lagoons and creeks and numerous species of birdlife who live in the mangrove forests or on overhanging cliffs. The coastline is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, with many tourist class hotels offering a full range of activities.

Courtesy of: wikimedia.com



The Bongo (antelope) is a wild, herbivorous, nocturnal and considered one of the largest in size of the antelope species.  Its natural habitat is in the high altitudes of Central Africa mainly Kenya.  It’s population has been in major decline due to hunting, however, several organizations have come together to continue the preservation of this nearly extinct species.  It is clearly distinctive from other species for its reddish-brown coat, black and white margins, and white stripes.

Reference: http://www.ireference.ca/search/Bongo%20(antelope)/

LENGUAGES

Republic of Kenya, Jamhuriya ya Kenya. 35,599,000. National or official languages: Kiswahili [swh], English. The number of individual languages listed for Kenya is 69. Of those, all are living languages.

Arabic, Onami Spoken, Aweer, Borana, Burji, Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma, Chidigo, Chiduruma, Cutchi-Swahili, Daasanach, Dahalo, Dawida, Dholuo, Ekegusii, El Molo, English (Increasing and more than 60% of Kenya population speaks English), Gichuka, Gikuyu, Gujarati, Kachchi, Kalenjin, Kamba, Keiyo, Kenyan Sign Language (Increasing primarily for schools for the deaf), Kiembu, Kigiriyama, Kimiiru, Kipfokomo, Kipsigis, Kiswahili, Kitharaka, Kiwilwana, Konkani Goan, Kuria, Lubukusu, Luidakho-Luisukha Lutrichi, Lukabaras, Lulogooli, Lutachoni, Maasai, Markweeta, Mwimbi-Muthambi, Nandi, Nubi, Nayala, Okiek, Olukhayo, Oluluyia, Olumarachi, Olumarama, Olunyole, Olusamia, Olushisa, Olutsotso, Oluwanga, Omotik, Orma, Panjabi, Eastern, Pokoot, Rendile, Sabaot, Sgalla, Samburu, Somali, Suba, Taveta, Terik, Teso, Tugen, Turkana, Waata, Yaaku,

Reference: 

http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Kenya

http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/kenya-language.html

Courtesy of: http://www.cheap-kenya-vacation-tips.com/images/religion-in-kenya.jpg

RELIGION

A large proportion of the Kenyan population are Christians found mainly outside the coastal and eastern provinces. Muslims make up some 30% of the population found in the coastal areas and in the eastern side of the country - the rest is a combination of other minority religions such as Hindus, Bhuduist and those who follow their ancestral tribal beliefs.  The influence of the British and the Portuguese rule are the reason behind Christianity being so popular in Kenya.

Reference:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/kenya/religion/

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/



PEOPLE and TRIBES

Currently there are more than 40 different ethnic group in Kenya.

The main groups of tribes are the Bantu who migrated from western Africa, the Nilotic people who originated from Sudan and the Hamitic group, who were mainly pastoral tribes from Ethiopia and Somalia. The main tribes are Kikuyu (21%), Meru (5%), Kalenjin, Luyha, Luo (14%), Kisii, Kamba, Swahili, Masai, Turkana

The other large ethnic groups include the Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin- There are also some groups of people who form a very small population. This includes the tribe of El Molo.

Persian and Arab traders established business contacts with east Africans over 1,000 years ago. These relations, coupled with refugees who fled the turmoil in Arabia after the death of Muhammad in the 7th century, resulted in a significant number of Arab immigrants residing on the coast of east Africa. The mixing of the coastal Bantu-speaking African peoples with these Arab immigrants led to the emergence of the Swahili people and language. The Swahili people lived and worked for the next seven centuries with the indigenous African population. During this time, the Swahili people expanded their trade and communication further inland and to the south with the other African groups, including ancestral tribes of the Somali Bantu.

Reference: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DiseasePrevention/Programs/NewcomerHealth/ethbantu.htm

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/

Reference:

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/

Food & Cuisine

                                                       Courtesy of: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/food-in-kenya/4503.html

                                                                  

         

FOODS OF THE KENYANS

Kenya is a multi-racial society, the majority of people comprising native ethnic groups. The rest of the population is Asian, Arab, and European. The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English.
Traditional Kenyan foods reflect the many different lifestyles of the various groups in the country. Most Kenyan dishes are filling and inexpensive to make. Staple foods consist mainly of corn, maize, potatoes, and beans. Ugali (a porridge made of maize) and meat are typically eaten inland, while the coastal peoples eat a more varied diet.
The Maasai, cattle-herding peoples who live in Kenya and Tanzania, eat simple foods, relying on cow and goat by-products (such as the animal's meat and milk). The Maasai do not eat any wild game or fish, depending only on the livestock they raise for food.
The Kikuyu and Gikuyu grow corn, beans, potatoes, and greens. They mash all of these vegetables together to make irio . They roll irio into balls and dip them into meat or vegetable stews.
In western Kenya, the people living near Lake Victoria (the second-largest freshwater lake in the world) mainly prepare fish stews, vegetable dishes, and rice.(1)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G7cIoXA

                                                   Courtesy of: http://www.kenya-advisor.com/kenya-food.html

 FOOD FOR RELIGIOUS AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Kenya's religious heritage mirrors its ethnic history. About 65 percent of the population are Christians and 2 to 4 percent are Muslim. The remainder practice traditional native beliefs.
Christmas in Kenya is a time for social gatherings and food. Visitors will stop at the homes of friends and family, and food is served to everyone. Christmas dinner is likely to be fish or nyama choma . Goat or beef is used for nyama choma , although goat is considered a greater delicacy. Vegetables, fruit, and chapattis are often served with chutney.(2)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G7p4hWF

                                                     Courtesy of: http://www.misterseed.com/LATESTnews/JULY2004/LATESTjuly2004A.htm

  

MEALTIME CUSTOMS

A typical Kenyan chakula (meal) is usually a heavy staple food, such as ugali or potatoes, with a side of vegetables. Ugali is typically served on a large dish where everyone can reach (using the right hand). Fruit is usually eaten for dessert in place of sweets.
Mandazi , a semisweet, flat doughnut, is usually eaten at chakula cha asubuhi (breakfast) with kahawa or chai (coffee and tea in Swahili). Chai is served very milky and sweet. The tea, milk, and sugar are put into cold water and brought to a boil. Kenyans also eat chapattis at breakfast and usually dunk it into their coffee.
Lunch is the main chakula of the day. Meat such as beef, goat, or mutton (sheep) is most commonly eaten. Other dishes can include githeri , a mix of beans (usually red kidney beans) and corn, and matoke , or mashed plantains (similar to a banana). Foods served at dinner are much like what is served at lunch.(3)


Read more: Food in Kenya - Kenyan Food, Kenyan Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice, main, people, types, make, customs, fruits, country, bread, vegetables, bread http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html#ixzz18G87zph4

Courtesy of: garden3.bista.dk

Drinks: Kenya Coffee, Tea and More

Coffee is a Kenyan speciality, as this is a main export product. Although ironically, many places only serve instant coffee. Tea (often called chai) is even a bigger export product and available in many sorts and flavours. The national beer is Tusker. Not only is this very good beer, but a Tusker t-shirt is a standard souvenir to take home.Bottled beer and soft drinks are often served at room temperature - which is warm! - so specifically ask for cold drinks if you prefer that. Kenya is not known for it's wines or liquors, but e.g. rum is also produced locally in Kenya.(4) 

                                                  Courtesy of: planetgreen.discovery.com

                                                        Courtesy of: kenteco.com

References:

(1)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html

(2)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html

(3)- http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html

(4)- http://www.kenya-advisor.com/kenya-food.html

 

Marriage Customs

Courtesy of: http://www.tourguy.org/attractions/old-wedding-customs-in-africa-1.html

Courtesy of: http://www.tourguy.org/attractions/old-wedding-customs-in-africa-1.html                                                                                                                                                                          
The Massai people of Kenya grow up with children of their own age and normally form relationships with these people. However, in marriage women are given to a man they do not know who is much older then themselves. The bride packs all her belongings and is dressed in her finest jewelry. At the marriage ceremony the father of the bride spits on the brides head and breasts as a blessing and then she leaves with her husband walking to her new home she never looks back fearing that she will turn to stone. This can be a very sad experience for the bride, who is 13-16 years old and may walk a long way to get to her new house. In order to ward off bad luck sometimes the women of the grooms family will even insult the bride.

The Swahili of Kenya bathe brides in sandalwood oils and tatoo henna designs on her limbs. A women elder, or somo, gives instructions to the bride on how to please her husband. Sometimes the somo will even hide under the bed in case there are any problems! In a small city called Lamu, situated outside the coast of Kenya, lives a group of Swahili Muslims. In this community the weddings can be going on for a whole week with a lot of festivities consisted of singing, dancing and food. But these festivities are celebrated separate for men and women. After the "real" wedding the bride is shown in public, with a so-called, kupamba. This ceremony is always taking place the evening after the wedding and it is the grand finale of the passage rite, in which the young bride enters the married women’s world. Today this particularly ceremony has become more in focus than some years ago when the kuinngia ndani (the entry) was the main attraction. It is a ceremony when the groom is walking down the streets to meet his bride and then complete first phase of the wedding. The kupamba has become more popular of various reasons, but the main reason is the fact that it is an opportunity for women to meet and have a good time without their husbands. When the enter this party they all take off their black veils and underneath they have beautiful dresses and wonderful haircuts etc. Another problem with this kupamba is that many families almost ruin themselves just to be able to have this party for their daughters. The musicians and food cost plenty of money. Sometimes the mother of the bride, female relatives and neighbours have to help out with the food and devote themselves to make the food some days before the ceremony.

In another area of Kenya the main feature of the wedding is the kupamba, which happens the night after the wedding, it is basically a display of the bride. It is very popular because it is a party just for the women, and when they enter the party they are able to take off their large veils and show off elaborate hairstyles and dresses. The party can almost become a competition because it is believed that if a women has a good husband he will get her beautiful jewelry and clothes.

For the Samburu people marriage is a unique series of elaborate ritual. Great importance is given to the preparation of gifts by the bridegroom (two goatskins, two copper earrings, a container for milk, a sheep) and of gifts for the ceremony. The marriage is concluded when a bull enters a hut guarded by the bride's mother, and is killed. (2)                                                                                                           

References:
(2)- http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/africanmarriageritual.html#kenya       

Significance of Art

    Courtesy of: Kenyan-Art.com

Even though Kenya may have less art galleries than many other countries, it has an invaluable artistic wealth. Kenya’s cultures exemplify the art of adornment and decoration, and history shows that this has been a long and influential tradition. Throughout the country, there are many examples of rock art and cave painting by early man, and of similar designs and motifs carried through recent centuries. Many Kenyan traditional societies placed great significance on decoration of both functional and ritual objects, and the body. In tribes such as the Kuria and the Samburu, this was raised to the form of high art. The Samburu place great significance on physical beauty and adornment, especially among warriors, who take great care with their physical appearance, using hair styling and ochre body painting to create an impression of great delicacy. It was this trait that earned them their name Samburu- Butterflies, given to them by other tribes. Many Northern nomadic tribes such as the Boran, Oromo and Gabbra extensively decorate functional items, including water gourds, stools and neck pillows. The Turkana people, who live in one of Kenya’s harshest environments, still afford great care and attention to decoration of the body and objects such as ostrisch egg waterholders, wrist knives and clubs. For the Maasai, the use of decorative beading is extremely significant, and jewellrey is used to emphasize social status and to signify stages of initiation and passage. For much more information on Kenya’s tribal arts, take the Cultural Safari or explore our collection of artifacts and objects in the Heritage section. Modern forms of art came to Kenya progressively. The art of carving was practiced throughout Kenya to produce both functional and decorative items. The Kamba people are considered the best Kenyan carvers, and have long been known as skilled woodworkers. Carving on the coast was centred on the island of Lamu, where the local Bajun tribe is believed to have influenced Arab craftsmen to create a unique hybrid of styles. The Kisii of Western Kenya are also well known for their carving in stone, using a locally quarried soapstone. They use a locally quarried soapstone to produce a range of carvings. The most popular items are small animals, chess pieces based on traditional African designs and more functional items such as egg cups, soap dishes, coasters and ash trays. The soapstone here varies in colour from white (the easiest to carve) through various shades of pink to a deep lustrous red (the most difficult to carve). The tourist trade has certainly had great influence over Kenyan carving, but many traditional designs have survived, and often new and interesting carving styles. For full formation on carving in Kenya, and it’s environmental impact, see the Shopping section. Graphical art in Kenya has a much less defined history. There are certain traditions in design and representation derived from rock art patterns, but also considerable influence from the coast. Textile design and decorative art throughout the coast created strong Swahili designs from Middle Eastern roots. Painting and drawing in the formal European sense was introduced by colonialism. There were several European artists in colonial Kenya, the best known being Joy Adamson. Although better known for her conservation work and writing, she was also an accomplished artist. Her botanical paintings were used as a base for Kenya’s original textbooks on plants, and her huge collection of tribal portraits remain a body of work of great anthropological importance. For full information on her life and work, see the Related Links above or see the gallery of her portraits. Kenyan painting has gradually developed incorporating traditional designs with modern technique. One of Kenya’s best known painters, who has achieved international fame and recognition, is Joel Oswago. Joel is from Western Kenya, and his brilliant paint work depicts scenes of Luo life both traditional and modern. His style is difficult to describe or define. He paints his subjects in an intense defined manner, emphasizing bodily and facial features with sharply contrasting primary colours. This can create an impression of harshness, but also of great physical vulnerability. His scenes of village life are usually structured in a tableau to suggest an immediate social or domestic situation. His art can be remarkably funny, terribly sad or often a combination of both. Kenya has developed a name as a home for bohemian expatriate artists, and there are many international artists living and working in the country. Probably the best known of these is Peter Beard, an American photographer. Beard spent many years living and working in Kenya, and has became internationally famous for his photographic record of his life in the bush. His work is mostly expressed in a series of journals, in which photographs, news cuttings, mud, blood and objects are plastered across the pages. These images have been exhibited internationally and converted into several books. While some consider his work ego-driven and overly avant garde, the heart of his collection is a deep passion for Kenya and strong but well founded concerns for its future. At the National Museum an independent trust, called the Kuona Trust, has been established to foster and encourage Kenyan artists. The Trust has set up an artists residence by the shores of Lake Naivasha, where a space and accommodation for artists is available. This program is bearing great fruit, and the centre located directly beside the Museum, is open to the public. There are displays of modern art here in all media. Promising artists include Michael Wambua Soi and Rochard Kimathi Wamae. To see all of the Kuona artists and their work, visit www.kuonatrust.org. There are several other private galleries in Nairobi city.(1)                                                                                                                                                                  References:                                                                                                                                                  (1)-http://www.tourism.go.ke/default.nsf/info1/art?opendocument&l=1                                                                                                                                                                Images courtesy of:  http://www.tourism.go.ke/default.nsf/info1/art?opendocument&l=1                                                                                                                                                                                                          Courtesy of: Kenya-Advisor.com                                                                                                                    Courtesy of: http://www.coastweek.com/artscene/art3142-16.htm                                                                                                                                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO0HeuWBNd8

The Weak Infrastructure of Kenya

Economic Block

Kenya has many underlying issues causing poverty in the Kenyan community.  Weak overall infrastructure for the country means jobs are scarce, leaving people with little opportunity for employment. There are considerable obstacles for starting a small business in Kenya as well. "The poor,  the women and other disadvantaged groups cannot obtain credit and other financial services needed to start small businesses and undertake other activities that create income because small enterprises don't have business support." (1).




Courtesy of: earthtrends.wri.org



 The Republic of Kenya

Kenya has a Republic government, and in 1982, Kenya became a one party state.  Since then the head of the government has been Daniel arp Moi.  The Kenyan government has long been accused of corruption, human rights viloations and its refusal to allow political decent, but in 1998 President Moi finally was overwhelmed by the pressure to reform. 


Poor Governance

 The problem of horrible government is one of Kenya's biggest problems.  "The impact of bad governance on the poor is real, systematically affects many people, and undermines the efforts to reduce poverty in the country." (1).  The peoples of Kenya have a lack of knowledge of the government and political systems and their laws which causes them to lag behind in social change.  Their inaccessability to public information and non-affordability to legal services are are huge causes of poverty and in most cases being poor means being powerless.

The law enforcment system that is set in place in Kenya is somewhat non-existant in the means that is there physically, but the structure itself if almost entirely corrupt and immoral.  "Kenyan policemen are poorly paid and have to make use with archaic housing that has not been expanded or renovated since the 1970s. This has made them very susceptible to corruption and crime. Extortion and bribery are not unknown practices and the Kenyan people rank the police among the most corrupt bodies in the country." (2).



Courtesy of: img.dailymail.co.uk



The Flag of Kenya & its Underlying Meaning

"The shield and crossed spears represent the defense of freedom. The black bar symbolizes the people of Kenya. The red bar symbolizes the blood shed in the struggle for independence. The green bar symbolizes Kenya's natural resources. The two narrow white bars symbolize peace and unity." (3)



Courtesy of: http://worldcultures.tripod.com/government.html



Globalization and Kenya

Globalization implies faster, more efficient and more effective means of communication between people from one end of the globe to the other.  "The concept of globalisation involves the breaking of frontiers that had hitherto hindered human beings from operating outside their national borders.  Hence the movement of human resources from one country to another has gained momentum, leading to the phenomenon of brain drain." (4).  In Kenyas case globalization has not yet taken its full course in its history.  Africa in general has long been affeted by many downfalls suchs as its harsh climate, which in turn does not allow its people to produce crops for harvest. Africa also has many diseases that its people die from every day such as AIDS and malaria because the medical systems in Africa are not at all up to pare. 



Courtesy of: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=kenya's%



There are only four Kenyan towns that are friendly for business, they are Narok, Malaba, Thika and Kisumu.  It is in this towns where business start-ups are easy in terms of getting construction permits and registering property.  "Frequently in the past, Kenya has been faulted for being anti-trade due to the numerous licences one requires to set up shop. These come both from the central and local governments." (5).  This is one of the main reasons that there has not been an economic boost in Kenya for quite some time.  Most business investors do not feel like going through the hassles os getting all of the permits that are required to start up a business in the first place. 

Gender Roles of the Kenyan Culture

When it comes to gender roles in Kenya, we used to be able to compare it to the gender roles we have in America today, but due to lack of jobs and income, they have gone astray.  The men have alwyas been looked at as head of the household and the "breadwinners" while the women would tend to the children and household chores.  Lately there has been such a decrease in sufficient job opportunity in Kenya that these gender roles have gone completely down the drain.  The men cannot afford the cost of marraige, so there are more casual relations happeneing, leaving women to be single mothers and raising their children often poor and without proper shelter.  The women do not have as equal opportunities to advance in society, so they are often seen on street corners begging for money so they may feed their children whom are severly malnurished.  As for the poeple living in thr rural part of Kenya, they have a tradition that they stick to.  The women stay home and raise the children and take care of the household, and the men go out hunting for food and maintain their tribe.



Courtesy of: http://www.nidalm.com/BlogImages/Kenya/Masai/3.jpg



References:

(1)- http://exitpoverty.org/Home/Issues.aspx

(2)- http://www.kenyapolice.go.ke/Formations.asp

(3)- http://worldcultures.tripod.com/government.html

(4)- http://africa.peacelink.org/wajibu/articles/art_7514.html

(5)- http://allafrica.com/stories/200910020021.html

References

Profile picture - Courtesy of treehugger.com