LIFE STYLE
Kenya is a diverse country, with many different cultures represented. Notable cultures include the Swahili on the coast, pastoralist communities in the north, and several different communities in the central and western regions. Today, the Maasai culture is well known, given its heavy exposure from tourism, however, Maasai make up a relatively minor percentage of the Kenyan population. The Maasai are known for their elaborate upper body adornment and jewelry. Kenya has an extensive music, television and theatre scene.
1. MUSIC
1)Popular musicThe guitar is the most dominant instrument in Kenyan popular music. Guitar rhythms are very complex and include both native beats and imported ones, especially the Congolese cavacha rhythm; music usually involves the interplay of multiple parts and, more recently, showy guitar solos.
Lyrics are most often in Swahili or Lingala, but are also sometimes in one of the indigenous languages, though radio will generally not play music in one of the "tribal" languages.
Benga music has been popular since the late 1960s, especially around Lake Victoria. The word benga is occasionally used to refer to any kind of pop music. bass, guitar and percussion are the usual instruments.
Partially from 1994 and wholly from 2003 Kenyan popular music has been recognised through the Kisima Music Awards. A number of styles predominate in Kenya including Benga and Reggae have separate categories, and a multitude of Kenyan artists are awarded each year.
2) Traditional music
Kenya's diverse ethnic groups each have their own folk music traditions, though most have declined in popularity in recent years as gospel music became more popular.
2. LiteratureNgugi wa Thiong'o is one of the best known writers of Kenya. His book, Weep Not, Child is an illustration of life in Kenya during the British occupation. This is a story about the effects of the Mau Mau on the lives of black Kenyans. Its combination of themes—colonialism, education, and love—helped to make it one of the best-known novels in Africa.
M.G. Vassanji's 2003 novel The In-Between World of Vikram Lall won the Giller Prize in 2003. It is the fictional memoir of a Kenyan of Indian heritage and his family as they adjust to the changing political climates in colonial and post-colonial Kenya. Since 2003, the literary journal Kwani? has been publishing Kenyan contemporary literature.
3. Food
① Ugali and Fish
Ugali is made up of ground maize flour and water. It takes the form of a cake after it has been cooked. Simpy cook the floor in boiled water until it hardens. This is a favourite meal not just for the Luos in Nyanza Province but for all Kenyans. Fish is popular in Nyanza because of it's proximity to Lake Victoria and at the coast because of the Indian Ocean.
② Githeri
This is a mixture of boiled maize and beans. This is a popular dish among the Kikuyu community mainly found in Central Province.
③Mukimo
This is a mashed version of the Githeri. It is usually made up of maize and beans mashed with potatoes or cooked bananas.
④ Kachumbari
This is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, pepper, parsley and in some cases Avocado. It is mostly served with Nyama Choma.
⑤Nyama Choma
This is roast meat. Very popular in Kenya. Beef is the cheaper meat in Kenya compared to Chicken or Fish
4. Sports
Kenya is active in several sports, among them cricket, rallying, football (soccer), rugby union and boxing.
↓ cricket rallying↓
