Saturday, February 28, 2009
Culture Today
There are about 32 million people living in kenya at this time, and a numerous amount of tribes still surviving in their tropical climate. Kenya is very hot because the equator runs derictly through it. Kenya is the size of Nevada in the United States of America. English and Swahili are the languages taught throughout the country, but there are many other tribal languages. These include Kikuyu, Luhia, Luo and Kikamba as well as many other minor tribal tongues.
Kenyans love to party, and the music style known as benga is the contemporary dance music that rules. It originated among the Luo people of western Kenya and became popular in the area in the 1950s.Now in the late 1900, early 2000 Kenya's hip hop scene has really taken off. Only a few years ago, it was unthinkable for a Kenyan to earn any money, let alone earn a living from the trade. Well brace yourself, Kenya’s hip hop scene is among the most vibrant in Africa....and with a rapid rise in its popularity, both in Kenya and worldwide, this hip hop scene will only get better.
Traditionally, Kenya music centered on drumming and dance, often accompanied by humming, chatting and singing. Apart from the drums, other musical instruments include variations on flute, lyres and guitars, which may be seen in the National Museums of Kenya among their ethnic exhibits. Since then, Kenya music has evolved through early Afro-jazz to African hip-hop, rap and dance music. Recent years have seen an increase in FM radio stations throughout urban Kenya, and now Kenyan artists are at the forefront of the Kenyan music scene.
Kenyan cuisine generally consists of stodge filler with beans or a meat sauce. It's really just survival fodder for the locals maximum filling-up potential at minimum cost. If you had to name a national dish in Kenya, nyama choma (barbecued meat, usually goat), would probably be it. Kenyan food is not exactly designed for gourmet or vegetarians. Beer drinkers, on the other hand, are well supplied. Kenyans love their beer almost as much as their dancing and there's a thriving local brewing industry, and the Tusker beer is excellent. Kenya coffees are internationally renowned, and a major export. Local white wines from Naivasha are good. Local produce includes delicious mango and pawpaw, often served at breakfast. The Kenya coast has coral formations protected by law. Fishing for sport is highly popular, as is diving for pearls and lobster, sailing, and how voyages by moonlight.
Kenya clothing is varied as there are a number of tribes in Kenya. Each of the tribes of Kenya has their own dress and clothing culture that make them different and distinctive from each other. As such there is not a single dress that can be called to the identifying dress for the people of Kenya. Of late there has been an effort to make a national dress for the people of Kenya. But this dress has not become widely popular with general people. However, on a large scale, Kenya can boast of its varied way of dress and clothing done in several tribal communities2778 railroads km
Kenya's History
Kenya's Independence
Kenya independence is a term that evokes within the Africans in this country a remembrance of a long history of Kenya under the colonial rule of England. Achieved in 1963, independence is a gift that the Africans bought themselves through sheer patience and courage.
The story of Kenyan Independence tells the story of Kenya's long and hard struggle for political and social freedom from the clutches of the Britain's. Kenya officially came under English reign in 1920. The Africans had reacted without delay. They put in their full effort in regaining what the English had wrongfully taken away—the rights of the African nationals in Kenya.
The Kikuyu organization ( 1921), headed by Jomo Kenyatta was the first attempt. In 1925 it was suppressed by the English but the members regrouped again as the Kikuyu association. Kenyatta's campaigns against the English to attain the rights of the Kenyans acted as an impetus in Kenya Independence struggle. He resorted to peaceful methods but threatened of an explosion if the English did not give them their rights. But no progress was seen till after the World War 2.
In spite of political movements and a united national uprising against the English, the English refused to move out of the territory. They were determined to hold their power over Kenya and this sparked off a violent reaction during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. A huge number of Africans lost their lives and thousands were wounded. Suppression of the Kikuyu organization by the English followed. The Kenyan independence struggle reached its climax with the imprisonment of the African political leaders. Political chaos continued till 1960 when Kenya was recognized by English regime. In 1961 Africans were granted a majority rule in the parliament and ultimately in 1963 Kenya's fight for independence culminated with the country attaining complete independence from British domination. Thus Kenya's independence is a picture of the victory of the persistence of the Africans over England's desire for global power. A year after they got their independence, Jomo Kenyatta became the first president on the establishment of a republic.
Leaders
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta, born on October 20, 1894, and leader of the 1921 Kikuyu organization, helped Kenya to gain its independence. He was a member of the Kanu political party, and became Kenya's prime minister in office from June 1st,1963, to December 12, 1964. He died on August 22,1978, at the age of 83.
Daniel Arap Moi
Daniel Arap Moi was born in Kuriengwo village and raised by his mother, Kimio Chebii, following the death of his father. After completing secondary education, he attended Tambach Teachers Training College in Keiyo District. He worked as a teacher from 1946 until 1955. In 1955 he entered politics when he was elected member of the the Legislative Council for Rift Valley. In 1960 he founded the Kenya African National Union (KANU) led by Jomo Kenyatta.
Calestous Juma
Calestous Juma (born on June 9Th, 1953 in Port Victoria, western Kenya) is an internationally recognized authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development worldwide. Calestous Juma grew up on the shore of Lake Victoria where he started a young education. He is a professor of the Project of the International Development and Director of the Science, Technology and Globalization Project.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Saturday, December 20, 2008
ABOUT US
We are helping Kenya’s education by sending text books to Kenya. We are trying to make their education better than it was because they don’t have the money to buy better books. In our computer class we are making a website to help to inform others. Our school is donating all of our unwanted text books to Kenya. The children learn with pen and paper and we would like to send books to them for a better education instead of wastefully throwing these textbooks out. We would really like it if you guys would help by sending books to our school.
Our whole class started to get involved with VIST, when our teacher Mr. Wagner talked to a college professor who knew a lot about the school. Our fifth grade class is making this blog in our computer class. Each group has an assignment. We are all writing about Kenya's culture, education, history, and about us.
Please help us donate as many books as we can. If you would like to help, then donate some books to us. We would mostly like math and science books. Please do not send History becase Kenya is a different country. Remember that they are a poor country, so please help us out. We will give all the books we can with one thousand dollars. Our teacher is helping us 5th graders to learn how wealthy our country is and how some country’s are not as fortunate as we are. If you have time to donate to us we can't thank you enough. Lets make the world a better place one step at a time!!! Thank you and have a very good day and we hope the kenyans do too.
Get a Voki now!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Merry Christmas V.I.S.T. !!!
As you probably know, Chirstmas is coming, and our fifth grade class hopes you have a wonderful Christmas! We hope you have put the textbooks we gave you to good use. They will hopefully make learning easier for you. We wish that you have food to eat and clean water to drink on this wonderful holiday! We also wish that you are safe during Christmas.
-Your Wikenya Family