CULTURAL TOURS IN KENYA -BEYOND SAFARIS TO VILLAGES AND TRADITIONS

A DIFFERENT SIDE OF KENYA

When we talk about Kenya what  comes to most people’s minds is the game drives and the wildlife encounters in the national parks like Masai Mara and other conservation areas, overtime this has caused most tourists to miss out in experiencing and interacting with different people and cultures in Kenya. Culture is basically people’s way of life in respect with their beliefs and customs.

WHY KENYA FOR CULTURAL TOURS

Kenya offers raw and untouched authentic experiences that offer a high-end satisfaction and fulfillments of the tourists’ expectations you go beyond visiting communities to exploring the nearby schools and learning about the Kenyan system of education. Cultural tours in Kenya help support the local communities for example the Masai and the Samburu people sell their local products such as jewelry to the international tourists, thus using the funds to support their families. Through cultural festivals that are attended by numerous  international delegates, Kenya’s culture is recognized globally thus promoting international relationships and cultural exchange with Kenya as a country

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN KENYA

Kenya a diverse culture i.e.  Masai in the loita plains, the Turkana and the El molo in northern Kenya, the Kamba in Machakos, the Samburu, the Kikuyu the Mijikenda around Kaya forests, the Bomas these are different tribal groups in one place and Mombasa for the Swahili people at the cost

MAJOR CULTURAL GROUPS VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE IN KENYA

The Masai

The Masai are famous for being  brave and strong warriors, they often put on iconic dresses with bead works and jewelry. This is a great culture to experience for the tourists visiting Masai Mara, you can stop by loita plains or manyatta villages and be guided by the local guide to the Masai communities or homesteads. Tourists might get a chance to meet the Masai elders and hear about their ancient stories and learn more about their culture. The Masai are typically pastoralists they don’t hunt wildlife for food and they depend on their livestock for example sheep, goats, and cows for survival. they get milk from the cows and meat from the sheep and goats , they rarely sell their cows as it’s a symbol of wealth in their communities .they don’t put any product from their cattle to rest for example the cow dung is used for repair and refurbishment of their shelters , and the urine used to treat their hair.

The Samburu

The Samburu are known to have similar ancestry with the Masai .They migrated to Kenya from South Sudan. they have preserved their culture and have not allowed the western cultural influence to erode them. the dance in circles and jumping high like the Masai. They are also pastoralists and depend on milk, blood and milk cows are rarely sold except on special occasions. Tourists can embark on camel safaris where they will explore the Samburu communities on a camel ride, they might also get into story telling with the elderly.

The Swahili people at Mombasa,

Here you get to experience a serenity of the Indian ocean. This is  the great spot to experience the Swahili people  , this culture was deeply influenced by the Arabs and the Persians together with the Europeans , dive into an exploration of the old architecture these offer a unique stand alone experience , fort Jesus that was built to offer protection of the coastal trade that was being carried out at the coast in the early 1593s

There was an intermarriage between the local people and the Arabs, which brought this Swahili culture

The kikuyu

These are Bantu speaking people who live near Mount Kenya in South Central Kenya Highlands. They originally migrated from the north east. Tourists can experience their traditional economy which is sustained by cultivation especially for annual and perennial crops like millet and coffee. They are also associated with the stories of the Mau Mau rebellion as the kikuyu were, the first local ethnic group to participate in the anti-coronial agitations in the 1920s, tourists also get to visit grand-mother headed families and learn how the sustainably benefit from the livestock. they also get to enjoy the powerful and joyful singing together with the kikuyu’s inspirational stories

The Turkana

These are the Nilotic ethnic communities and live around lake Turkana with the biggest number located in Marsabit county in northern Kenya. The Turkana people are pastoralists where they have continued to practice their traditional lifestyle, traditionally, they did not wear clothes though women wore some tiers of beads around their necks, they also engage in traditional fishing along lake Turkana to supplement their diet

EXPECATIONS ON A CULTURAL TOUR IN KENYA

Homestays and villages, these are temporary set up areas most times built with mud cow dung and grass thatched were these cultural communities stay together with their families

    Festivals and celebrations these cultures often carry out the traditional festival for example the Masai warriors and Masai Olympic competitions, the circumcision and wrestling festival offer tourists  more opportunities for entertainment and learning

     Traditional music and dance, the Masai and Samburu people have one of the iconic dancing styles where they join in big circles, and jump high  while holding their spears and shields. Tourists can take part in this kind of dance giving them a sense and feeling of belonging during their visit.

Craft making and shopping

Craft making is one of the major activities done by various cultural communities in Kenya, mostly done by the mothers and the female youth. They weave baskets and make nice looking jewelry that is sold to the locals when they have special events and then to the tourists who visit their communities

Kenya is not just about wildlife safaris and landscapes it has more to offer inform of cultural experiences that reveals its heart. Embark on an unforgettable cultural journey that will live you with friendships laughter and stories to cherish forever