Kenya Culture... Or is it?There is a raging debate on whether there is such a thing as "Kenya Culture." Even when you disregard the dominating influence of Western culture for a minute, it fair to say that Kenyans do not share a homogeneous culture which was perhaps poignantly manifested by recent unsuccessful attempts to fashion a "national dress." Indeed, an identical culture is something of a misnomer in a country populated by 34 million people with allegiance to over 100 ethnicities. The larger tribes are the Kikuyu who comprise 20.8 percent, Luhya 14.4 percent, Luo 12.4 percent, Kalenjin 11.5 percent and Kamba 11.4 percent of the country's population. The Mesmerizing MaasaiThe expressions of culture such as food, music and dance, and subsistence means therefore differ from tribe to tribe as do the associated stereotypes. The culture that is probably most identified with Kenya is that of the Maasai, that colorfully dressed and fascinating nomadic community that genuinely believes it has a God-given and inalienable right to all the cattle in the world...
The Awesome SamburuThe Samburu, close cousins of the Maasai in many respects, are also much written about. These live live further north and are semi-nomadic pastoralists who herd cattle, sheep, goats and camels for subsistence. Like the Maasai, they dress very colorfully although their more elaborate bracelets, earrings and necklaces stand out...
Now you know what that hitherto incomprehensible item on the logo is:-) Kenya Culture After All?But even in such a culturally diverse landscape, there are common denominators. Handshaking is an inalienable part of greeting, avoiding direct eye contact is a sign of reverence rather than dubiousness and women are generally considered to be subservient human beings and carry a disproportionate burden of household chores.In addition, homosexuality is generally frowned upon as unAfrican although it is tolerated particularly at the Coast and English and especially Swahili are widely spoken and bring a semblance of unity to a country which speaks over 100 discrete local dialects!
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