Explore Kenya's Rich Cultural Heritage

 

Maasai community culture

Kenya is the home to interesting cultures, breathtaking landscapes and also beautiful national parks and reserves.

Family is considered a major factor when it comes to identity, security and sense of belonging.

The national language in Kenya is the Swahili language while the official language is English language.

Kenya has various ethnic groups that typically speak their mother tongue in their own communities. There are more than 60 different  languages spoken in Kenya. Kenya is also divided into three linguistic groups: Bantus, Nilotic and the Cushite speakers. 

Kenyan Dishes
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Common foods of Kenya include: Ugali, rice, bread, chapati, meat, fish and vegetables. 

Some communities have retained more of the traditional African lifestyle than others. For example the Maasai wear the Maasai Shuka's or robes and carry spears. 

The Maasai women also bead and weave jewelry which plays a crucial part in the ornamentation of the body. They also do ear piercing and stretching of the earlobes as part of their beauty.

Jewelry by the Maasai communities
Image: Courtesy

Music and Dances
Image: Courtesy

Kenya is also a hub for beautifully inspired arts and crafts. Some of the items sold to tourists include: sisal baskets, paintings, wood carvings, Maasai bead jewelry, kanga's for women, musical instruments and tribal masks. 

Music, dance, architecture, theatre, literature are all part of the cultural diversity in Kenya. 

Education system in Kenya has been changed to the CBC Competence Based Curriculum. This flexible curriculum offers opportunities for practice and specialization at basic levels of education. 

The CBC structure is the 2-6-6-3 where learners spend 2 years in pre primary, 6 years in primary, 6 years in secondary and 3 years in university.

Kenya also has a number of international schools enrolling students for various educational systems like Japanese, German, British, French and also Swedish.

The constitution of Kenya also allows for freedom of worship and there are hundreds of religious denominations including the Islam, Christians, Roman Catholics and there are some Kenyans who observe the traditional way of worship.

Exploring Kenya's culture is broad. By engaging with the local culture, you not only gain a deeper understanding but also contribute to the preservation of the rich cultural heritage.

BY  HILDA KANINI