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Traditional Leisure of Kenya

 

With forty two tribes in Kenya, defining a particular leisure as 'traditional' is sort of unimaginable without going into an extreme treatise on the subject. Each tribe has song, dance, costumes and musical devices particular to their area. This article provides a brief overview of the types of leisure, some examples from varied tribes and where you could find traditional entertainment while you come to Kenya.

 

 

Song is a form of traditional leisure almost globally so it is no shock to find Kenyan tribes additionally singing. Each of the 42 tribes has their own language, so it is simple to tell the place the music is from... as long as you'll be able to recognise the language! Across the tribes one thing is identical: there are totally different beats and words for songs related with the varied ceremonies. This signifies that when a Kikuyu returns to his village and hears singing he can tell what's happening. It doesn't suggest however that if a Taita goes to the Kikuyu village he will also be able to tell what is occurring, unless he understands Kikuyu. So each tribe has circumcision songs, party songs, wedding songs, funeral songs, new baby songs and so on.

 

 

Along with singing comes dancing and, once more, movements differ throughout the tribes. Kikuyus wear bells on their ankles with women and men pairing up, putting palms together and swaying. In Luhya tradition, the dance is all in regards to the shoulders and for Luos it's concerning the hips. The Maasai men soar and it is a show of manliness if they'll leap higher than their peers.

 

 

Dance is complemented by the traditional costumes which are made from supplies present in a tribe's area. Luo males wear grass skirts from the reeds by Lake Victoria and cow hide on their back. Towards the coast, Taita males wear kangas from the Swahili culture while the women wear grass skirts. In the central highlands, the Kikuyus' costumes are a bit more substantial to protect against the cold, with sheepskin hats confusing many travellers as they look similar to the standard Russian hats! The lads generally wear white and the women a brown-beige colour. Kikuyu males also carry swords and have a belt made of animal skin to carry the sword.

 

 

Musical instruments usually accompany the singing and dancing and most of the people are familiar with the African drum. But there are even variations in how the drum is used across Kenya. For example, the Kamba sit with the drum between their legs while the Luhya hold the drum under their arm. Kamba also use a whistle to signify a beat change.

 

 

Story-telling is widespread with the old men teaching lessons by stories to the younger boys. Nowadays comedy is becoming in style, with sketches performed between music sets. The stories and sketches are normally set in on a regular basis situations that Kenyans can simply relate to.

 

 

Bomas of Kenya put on a prolonged performance each afternoon which showcases singing, dancing, costumes and musical instruments from each of the tribes. Shade Hotel in Karen additionally does a more informal afternoon of traditional entertainment each Sunday and on public holidays. In the event you visit a Maasai village on your safari, the villagers will carry out a welcome dance for you. The Samburu villages do the identical in northern Kenya. Finally, the Lake Turkana Cultural Festival could be the perfect opportunity to see a wide range of traditional entertainment. A gathering of 14 tribes from northern Kenya, this Festival is a celebration of different cultures dwelling together. They sing, they dance, they build huts, they cook, they dress traditionally - it's incredible! It is held each Could in Loiyangalani on the shore of Lake Turkana and well worth the journey.

 

 

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