Kenya Culture
Kenya's culture blends together diverse tribes, traditions and
religions into one beautiful, well woven tapestry. These traditions
complement each other while incorporating the modern influences of globalization
- resulting in a vibrant cultural spirit that is uniquely Kenyan. One feature that
stands out is the amazing hospitality that Kenyan's accord their visitors . Cultivated
from cultures of humility, generosity and kindness, many visitors will be awed by
the warm and eager smiles that greet them in Kenya, promising a trip that is filled
with wonder and mystique as they explore the
heart of Kenya .
Kenya Cuisine
Perhaps the most conspicuous aspect of Kenyan culture is cuisine. Every Kenyan tribe
takes pride in its own special food, which in almost all cases is accompanied by
rich history and hand me down recipes.
From 'pilau', the pride of the coastal tribes, to 'irio', the staple food of central Kenya , from 'Ugali' and vegetables or fish
synonymous with the Rift
Valley and western Kenya, to fermented milk treasured by the nomadic tribes
of northern Kenya, the privilege of tasting any of these foods gives one the awesome
feeling of connecting with some of the oldest traditions in the world. Kenya's capital, Nairobi , will entice
you with 'nyama choma' or roast meat, undoubtedly one of Kenya's favorite dish.
Game meat has also become a hallmark of the capitals alluring dishes, and for the
more 'modern' traveler, fast food, Italian, Korean, Indian, Japanese or French restaurants
are in plenty.
Fashion
Fashion represents a mixture of the traditional and the modern culture in Kenya.
From dress to shoes to accessories, tradition is represented and modernization explored
to present a beautiful match that is uniquely Kenyan. The modern Kenyan will wear
foreign made jeans and traditional Maasai
sandals. The modern woman will wear a suit accompanied by a necklace,
earrings and matching bracelet made of beautiful beads from the
Samburu tribe . The explosion of this new culture reflects a country
that is in tune with the modern and the traditional, a feature that is dying fast
in many countries.
Traditional festivals
Some of the most amazing festivals that decorate the Kenyan culture include wedding , coming of age and funeral rites. While
each tribe carries out unique formalities during these occasions, similarities include
the history, importance and joy that these festivals represent, accompanied by song,
dance, traditional dishes and brews. A visitor witnessing any of these festivities
will be intrigued to see the participants remove themselves from the 21st century
to remember their roots, traditions and customs, and can do little but join in on
the celebrations. The result is an exhilarating experience that not only leaves
one asking for more but stays vivid for a long, long time.
Language Trends
One of the most intriguing characteristics of the
Kenyan language culture is 'sheng' (slang) a language mainly spoken
by young people. Sheng is a mixture of Kenya's two official languages, English and
Swahili, and often incorporates words from several other languages such as Kikuyu , Luo or Luhya . Distinctly Kenyan, sheng changes everyday
in relation to the fast changing world of entertainment, sports, politics or business.
Its onset reflects the pride that young Kenyans have in their own individual languages,
their ability to keep in touch with a fast globalizing world and their creativity
in expressing themselves in a language that is purely 'youthful' and yet Kenyan.
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