Kenya Culture facts
Kenya Culture facts : Kenya is an East African nation that is bordered to the south by Tanzania, to the southeast by the Indian Ocean, to the north by Ethiopia, and to the west by Uganda. With a population of over 50 million, Kenya ranks 30th in the world in terms of population and 48th in terms of landmass. Swahili and English are the primary languages spoken there, but because of the country’s diverse population, many other languages are also spoken, such as Dholuo, Kikuyu, Arabic, and Luhya.
Kenya has four major cities: Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nairobi, the capital. The country’s climate is characterised by significant temperature differences, with the highlands being significantly cooler than the lowland and coastal regions. Nevertheless, daytime temperatures in Kenya average between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, and the country receives 680 mm of precipitation annually.
The set up of Kenya Families
In Kenya ,the family is the fundamental social unit, the most significant institution and a source of pride for most Kenyans. The family structure consists of a husband and wife living together as husband and wife, with or without children, as well as the extended family, which typically includes aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. The elderly are held in high regard, and traditional gender roles play a significant role in the overall arrangement.
When it comes to kinship, Kenyan families are typically extended, with three or four generations living under one roof. For instance, the grandparents may live under one roof with their son and his wife, who in turn live under one roof with their grandchildren. These kinship ties are there to offer assistance to extended family members whenever possible, including moral, emotional, and financial support. The eldest male member is typically regarded as the head of the family and holds the highest authority, followed by other male members in descending order.
Kenya marriage ceremonies
In many Kenyan tribes, parents and elders become involved immediately when two young people decide to get married. Typically, the prospective groom is paraded by the groom’s family to announce their intention to marry from that home, and if accepted, they will return for a second visit to pay the dowry and enjoy a colourful ceremony with friends and family. Marriage is one of the happiest times in a community, and every ethnic group in Kenya has long-standing customs that are still followed today, most of which revolve around paying the bride price or dowry.
The bride is not permitted in the chamber, and the groom does not speak during the elder-only negotiations. Ululations are used to signify successful negotiations, and soon after, there is song and dancing. Although cows, goats, and calves are traditionally used to pay the bride price, cash and other presents are now frequently accepted in its place. A man who has been eyeing a girl for marriage sends her beads among the Rendille. If she agrees, they get engaged, and the girl’s parents put a wooden ornament on the beads to show that they approve of the groom. Negotiations for dowries will then start.
The Kikuyu are famous for their “veiling” of the bride, in which the husband selects his bride from a group of veiled ladies before any talks can start. If you don’t pick the correct one, you’ll be fined, like for a goat or cow.
How Kenyan communities mourn through dead
Kenyan culture is becoming diluted by modernisation, much like many other aspects of society. In particular, Christianity has influenced the way things are done. Death, albeit undesirable, was connected to some of the most elaborate traditions among the tribes of Kenya. There were intricate conventions among the Luo that had to be observed at the time of death, depending on the deceased’s age, gender, and social standing. A few days after the funeral, close family members would shave their hair to signify the end of the mourning period and the start of a new life. Most of these customs have been undermined by the influence of Christianity, and modernity has made them appear ‘backward’. Nowadays, most tribes take their dead to a mortuary and bury them a few days later without performing any important rites. One ritual that was particularly obvious was the wailing.
Kenyan Food
Culture cannot exist without food since it unites people on many occasions. As modernisation creeps in and erodes treasured culinary traditions, there are, in general, some staple dishes in Kenya that are consumed by people from all around the country. These include rice, Ugali (cornbread), and chapatti (Indian bread similar to Nan). Traditionally, the Kikuyu often ate “ucuru wa mukio,” a fermented porridge made from maize, and “njahi,” or black beans, mashed with sweet bananas. These foods are still treasured, but they are now regarded as delicacies and are only served at formal occasions such as weddings and childbirth celebrations.
Even while people still value these foods, they have evolved into delicacies and are only served during formal events like weddings and childbirth celebrations. The Kalenjin tribes pride themselves in ‘Mursik’ (traditionally fermented milk kept in guarded and drank on special occasions). The milk is put in containers that have been treated with charcoal, smoke, and particular leaves and left in a cool spot to ferment. As families bring Mursik to greet Kenya’s world-beating athletes, primarily from the Kalenjin tribe, upon their return, this treat has become a familiar sight at the airport.
The Digo and Giriama tribes of the Kenyan Coast take pride in ‘Pilau’, which is a rice and meat dish seasoned with spices. Regardless of the tribe, most towns will greet you with ‘Nyama Choma’, or roasted meat, which is considered to be an unofficial national dish of Kenya. Whether in a homestead celebrating a special occasion or just a group of friends going out, Nyama Choma is the social glue in Kenya. Its the main table dishes are typically Ugali and ‘kachumbari’,
Clothing lifestyle in Kenya
One area of culture that has been completely overtaken by modernisation nationwide is clothing, with the exception of tribes like the Maasai and Samburu, who have obstinately clung to their tradition of wearing “shukas” (shawls made of beautiful and bright colours). In today’s world most Kenyan communities have tried to complement the shukas worn by men and women of the Maasai, Samburu, and Pokot tribes. They have added some accessories such as their colourful necklaces and headgear. In an effort to keep up with the times, modern Kenyans try to incorporate as much of their culture as possible into a new fashion trend. It is not uncommon to see a woman in a suit wearing a Maasai shuka and jeans, or a lady in a suit wearing a Maasai necklace and earrings. This trend is proof that Kenyans want to embrace modernity while preserving their traditions.
