KENYA Compiled by Elizabeth A. Andang’o, Kenyatta University, Kenya Prepared July 2011 INTRODUCTION •  Kenya is in the Eastern part of Africa •  Population is about 40.2 million •  Capital city is Nairobi which means the place of cool waters •  Nairobi is popularly known as the Green City in the Sun Nairobi City Kenyan National Flag •  The Kenyan flag colors symbolize black for the majority, red for the blood shed during the struggle for freedom, and green for Land; the symbolizes peace. •  The black, red, and white traditional Maasai Shield and two spears symbolize the defense of all the things mentioned above. LANGUAGE AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES •  Most Kenyans speak at least 3 languages: 1.  English 2.  Kiswahili 3.  An indigenous, or native, language •  English is used in schools and offices •  Kiswahili is the national language •  There are at least 42 native languages INDIGENOUS KENYAN LANGUAGES •  The 42 native Kenyan languages are consolidated within 3 major categories: 1.  The Bantu (Kikuyu, Luhya, Kamba and Kisii among others) 2.  The Nilotes (Luo, Maasai, Kalenjin, Turkana among others) 3.  The Cushites (Somali, Boran, Rendille & Orma among others) •  Languages found within one category tend to be related. Some Kenyan Peoples Turkana Man Maasai Warrior Nandi Woman Rendille Woman Kenyan peoples •  In the picture we have seen: –  –  –  –  A Maasai (Nilote) A Turkana (Nilote) A Nandi (Nilote) A Rendille (Cushite) •  These are examples of Kenyan ethnic groups which have retained many aspects of their traditional way of life in terms of –  Dress –  Wearing of ornaments –  Piercing certain parts of the body •  Other Kenyans have adopted a modern lifestyle. Religion in Kenya •  The Constitution of Kenya states that she is a secular (no specific religion) state. •  However, Christianity is the most subscribed-to religion with about 80% followers. •  Others are Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and African Traditional Religion. •  There is freedom of worship therefore no religion is restricted. •  There are many churches in Kenya. A Church in Nairobi All Saints Cathedral Monetary Unit: The Kenyan Shilling There are 100 cents in one Kenyan Shilling. Tea is one of Kenya s Chief Exports Geography & Climate Indian Ocean Coast The Rift Valley Mount Kenya Northern Kenya Desert Administrative Divisions SUDAN ETHIOPIA EASTERN UGANDA S O RIFT VALLEY M NORTH EASTERN A L WESTERN I Lake NYANZA Victoria A CENTRAL NAIROBI TANZANIA EASTERN COAST INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY INDIAN PROVINCIAL BOUNDARY OCEAN NATIONAL CAPITAL 0 50 100 Food White Ugali Githeri Fish called Ngege (Tilapia) Porridge (Uji in Kiswahili) Wildlife Lion & Lioness Wildebeeste Zebra Elephants Painting of Massai Boy Art and Craft Soap Stone Art Basketry Intricate Beadwork Baskets Leisure Activities Jungle Safari Canoeing Shopping Camping Maasai warriors singing & jumping Music & Dance Maasai girls singing at a Wedding Musical Instruments Kayamba Kiringongo (Marimba) Obokano (8stringed Lyre) One Mshondo and two mabumbumbu drums Musical Instruments (continued) Msewe (Leg Rattles) Robaro (rattles) Dufu (Islamic Drum) Chapuo Drum Musical Instruments (continued) Adeudeu (Harp) Orutu (Fiddle) Two Chivoti (Transverse Flutes) Isukuti Drums SONGS Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir (Greetings) Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir (Greetings) CHORUS Jambo, Jambo Bwana,   Hello, Hello Sir,  Habari gain,  Mzuri sana.  Wageni, mwakaribishwa,  Kenya yetu Hakuna Matata.  How are you,  Very fine.  Foreigners, you're welcome,  In our Kenya there is no problem.  CALL & RESPONSE Kenya nchi nzuri,   Hakuna Matata.  Nchi ya maajabu  Hakuna Matata.  Nchi yenye amani,  Hakuna Matata.  Watu wote,  Hakuna Matata,  Wakaribishwa,  Hakuna Matata.  Kenya is a beautiful country,  There is no problem.  A wonderful country  There is no problem.  A peaceful country,  There is no problem.  Everybody,  There is no problem,  Are welcome,  There is no problem.  Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir Click to Play (Greetings) Jambo Video #1 •  This song reflects the friendliness & hospitality of the Kenyan people. •  When Kenyans have visitors, they show them •  The song was composed their best! by Kenyan musician Teddy Kalanda Harrison •  Hakuna Matata = There is no problem! •  First recorded in February 1980 Click to Play Jambo Video #2 Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) Text Translation Nyambaga kondo gakwa Wonengiamba ii Wonengia bura ii. I am weaving my basket Can you see that I am weaving my basket? I am undoing my basket. Can you see, I am undoing my basket? Actions The children stand in a line. The leader starts the chant and the whole group coils around the leader, imitating the firm weave of a basket. The leader then sings out, and the group moves in the opposite direction, till they form a straight line once more. Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) Insert • This song is a game that depicts Kenyan children weaving (and unweaving) a sisal basket. •  These baskets are woven by hand by the women of the Kikuyu culture. •  They carry food and goods from the market in their baskets. YouTube Link Here Mama Mbe Tsimbindi (Mother give me seeds to plant) Text  Translation  Actions  Mama, mbe tsimbindi, nzie khumitsa  Nzie, nzie, nzie,  Nzie khumitsa.  Mother, give me seeds to go and plant  Give, give, give  Give me so I can go and plant them.  Children sing and hold out their right hand and swing it rhythmically (begging for seeds).  They do actions like digging the soil with a hoe with one hand, and dropping the seeds into the ground with the other hand.  Mama Mbe Tsimbindi (Mother give me seeds to plant) •  In this song, a child is asking his mother to give him seeds to go and sow (plant). •  The song depicts the Luhya livelihood where farming is the main form of existence. •  Children are expected to help their parents in the farm work and also around the home. •  It is typical to make motions of digging and dropping seeds while singing this song! Seeds of Green Grams Insert YouTube Link Here Hombe (A Lullaby) Hombe (A Lullaby) Text Translation Hombe, Hombe Nyathi mayuak Ondiek chame Nyathi ma ling’ Ondiek weye Hombe. Hombe (nonsensical word to lull the child) The crying baby will be eaten by a leopard; The quiet baby will not be eaten by a leopard Hombe. Actions Lullaby - The child can be rocked or swayed to the rhythm of the song. Hombe (A Lullaby) • Many wild animals, including leopards, are found in Nyanza province in Kenya! • The song is a lullaby, which is sung to a baby to send them to sleep. • Children cry when they do not want to sleep. In this song, the crying baby is threatened that he will be eaten by a leopard. • He is also promised that he will not be eaten by the leopard if he keeps quiet! Insert YouTube Link Here • The song is sung among the Luo people, who live mainly in Nyanza province. The climate in this place is hot most of the year. Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) Text Tokerelo meriya Ya ayeya! Tokerelo meriya Ya ayeya! Translation The leopard! If you meet it, run or it will finish you! Action The song can be sung in various ways, but it should depict one running away from a leopard! Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) Insert YouTube Link Here •  This song is from the Turkana community in Northwestern Kenya. It is a dry area of the country, where survival is the primary concern. •  They are pastoralists, always moving around with their cattle in search of pasture. •  Many wild animals are found in this area. The song is sung when a leopard has been spotted. •  It warns people to run away because a leopard is dangerous and should be feared! Asai Iani (We Welcome You) Text I’ani ng’otumi? I’ani I’ani kolene I’ani Asai I’ani Translation Who agrees with the ceremony? We Agree How do you agree? We say Yes! Action This song is sung during various celebrations. The only actions are dancing gracefully towards the person being welcomed. Insert YouTube Link Here Asai Iani (We Welcome You) •  This is a Nandi Celebration Song that is sung during engagement parties, before two people are married. •  Their families exchange gifts, food, and song. •  They share a special drink called mursik, which is curdled milk drunk in a gourd.