While Kenyan culture has evolved to encompass Western, Asian, and Arabic influences, it still retains a distinctly African identity. Examples of the dominant forms of language, clothing, food, music, and dance illustrate this point well.
Languages in Kenya
Although more than 40 dialects are spoken in Kenya, the languages that enjoy national appeal are English and, in particular, Swahili. So even though the local languages are widely spoken in their respective tribal areas, it is a good idea for the country visitor to learn a few Swahili phrases.
typical dress
While educated and wealthy Kenyans have adopted the Western style of dressing in business suits, jeans, and T-shirts, many communities have stuck to their traditional dress.
The world famous Maasai and Samburu continue to dress in brightly checkered sheet coats (called shukas) and lots of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and bangles.
The Ogiek, a hunter-gatherer community whose ancestral home is the Mau Forest, dress primarily in damax fur. That said, unlike other countries like Nigeria and Rwanda, Kenya does not have a national dress and several attempts to create one have been unsuccessful. Therefore, traditional dress in Kenya varies from tribe to tribe.
KenyaFood
In the field of food, many rural Kenyans continue to eat the foods their ancestors ate. The Luo enjoy their fish and millet, the Kikuyu their irio (mashed potatoes, peas, corn and Irish vegetables) and the Maasai diet consists of meat, blood and milk.
It is true that Pilau rice, chapatti and samosas, which are borrowed from Asia, are delicious on the coast. Also, French fries and fried chicken are served in many restaurants around the country. However, these are not as popular as ugali and nyama choma. So if Kenya has a national food, it has to be these 2.
Ugali is a cornmeal cake that is baked over an open flame, while nyama choma is roasted meat, usually goat, beef, or lamb. It is often eaten with kachumbari, a spiced tomato, onion, and hot sauce.
Dance and Music
Music and dance are important components of Kenyan culture and are mainly performed at important ceremonies such as weddings and initiations. The nature of Kenyan music and dance also varies from region to region.
Luhya’s music is fast-paced and integrates different rhythms at the same time. Luo dance is more measured with dancers following the rhythm of the nyatiti, a traditional lyre.
Along the Kenyan coast, Taarab, revealing Arab and Indian influences, is popular. It is sung by women who turn slowly and elegantly from side to side with a belly dance. They are often accompanied by an Arab drum and rhythm.
Masai dances performed by men culminate in a jumping contest where the higher you can jump, the better you are. Costumes and props like masks, shields, and spears are vital aspects of most dances.
Kenyans are famous for their passion for song and dance. A genre of popular music called benga, which fuses Kenyan and Western influences, is popular in nightclubs across the country.
Time flies…
Because Kenyans move at their own pace, timing is not one of their strengths. So there’s nothing unexpected about being an hour or two late for an appointment. And the handshake is an indispensable part of the greeting.
Where to experience Kenyan culture
While in Kenya, there are several good places to experience Kenyan culture. Through the traditional farms, music and crafts on display, Bomas of Kenya gives you a good insight into Kenyan culture.
The National Theater is also an excellent place to see music, dance and theater performances from the different regions of the country.
Museums, such as those in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, are great for looking at how Kenyan culture has evolved over time. The largest and most exciting of these is the Nairobi National Museum located on Museum Hill in Nairobi.
However, the traditional villages scattered throughout the country are the best places to experience authentic and unseen aspects of Kenyan culture. There are several of these near Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Victoria, Mombasa and Lamu and they can be visited during a safari to these popular tourist destinations.