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Population
The
Population was 31.639.091 in 2003 and consists of more than 30 tribes of
which the best known are the Maasai,
Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kelenjin, Kamba, Kisii and Meru. With non African
origin are Asians, Europeans and Arabs.
Languages
Swahili
is the official language and English is also widely used. Further many tribal
languages so as Luo, Mara or
Kikuyu. This variety leads to the fact that in urban areas many Kenyans are
able to deal with three or even more languages.
Arts
African
Art was traditionally the adornment of functional objects such as ceremonial
masks. Today soapstone and wooden carvings are made for sale.
Asian colonists introduced batik (paintings on waxed cloth) to Kenya.
The batiks made in Kenya
today are uniquely African.
Kenyan
literature dates back to centuries of Swahili poetry. The European colonial
period is marked by the writings of authors such as Karen Blixen
(Out of Africa) and the political struggles of the
20th century have produced the works of Jomo
Kenyatta (Facing Mount Kenya), Dedan Kimathi (Makers of Kenya’s
History) and Oginga Odinga (not yet Uhuru).
Traditional Kenyan music includes Tarabu (Swahili
sung poetry) and Benga music which was popularized in the 70s and 80
of the last century. Drum music and dancing
feature strongly in Kenyan tribal culture and Maasai
and Samburu dance performances can be seen by tourists. Today’s
music is influenced by British, American and Jamaican Music.
Architecture
Kenya has a
variety of architecture ranging from timber-framed houses with mud walls to
the modern buildings of Nairobi. There are
also examples of buildings from the Swahili culture, such as the old town of Lamu
(on the World Heritage list).
Sport
A variety of sporting activities are popular in Kenya.
These include football, basket ball, rugby, cricket and golf.
The country’s athletes have an excellent record of track and long distance
achievements in the Olympics and international competitions. The Safari Rally
hosted by Kenya
is Africa’s longest
annual Rally.
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