Kenya ' s History
By James E Harrison
With forty-two tribes and more than forty
million residents, the history and the culture
of Kenya reads like a soap opera, and has
developed over hundreds of years of social
progression with significant foreign, regional
and local influences.
The Great Migrations into Kenya
The ethnic groups that exist in Kenya are not originally from
Kenya and their distinct cultural habits and ideals are
illustrative of these origins. Primarily, the Kenyan ethnic
groupings are products of the great migrations that occurred
in Africa since the early 2000BC. For instance:
The Bantus are tribes including the Kikuyu, Meru and
Akamba, etc., believed to have migrated from West Africa.
The Nilotes comprise of tribes such as the Luo and the
Maasai, and migrated to Kenya from South Sudan.
The Cushites such as the Oromo among others migrated
from Southern Ethiopa.
Influx of Asian Cultures
In addition to African influences in Kenya, during the 8th
Century, there was an influx of foreign cultures such as Asian
traders: Chinese, Arabic, Persian and Indian origins came into
the Kenyan coast to advance their trading ventures. The
intermarriage between these foreign cultures and local
cultures resulted in a new cultural phenomenon that was partly
African and partly Arabic, referred to as Swahili. Swahili is the
second official language in Kenya.
Portuguese Influence
It wasn't until the 16th century that the Portuguese swarmed
into Kenya to take advantage of the massive trading
opportunities offered by the East African coastline as a trading
route. Needless to say, local cultures at the Kenyan coast
absorbed some Portuguese culture in terms of language and
way of life.
British Colonization
The colonization by the British had the most impact on the
culture dynamics and history of Kenya economically, socially
and politically. The Europeans brought with them new cultural
ideals and principles that were enforced into local cultures to
form the belief systems and ideologies of ethnic groupings
and Kenya culture as they exist to date. This includes:
The introduction of Christianity
A new language- English, which is the first official language
in Kenya
Formal education
And adoption of new ways of living in terms of arts, music
and sports.
The Effects of History and Culture on Modern Kenya
The history of Kenya and its global influences are clearly
conveyed in today's Kenya in every facet of life, from the food,
music, dance and clothing styles to the languages spoken and
ethnic diversity and religious beliefs held.
As the world becomes more and more globalized, the culture
and history of Kenya will continue to be influenced and evolve
but the Kenyan Spirit will still remain.
---
Thinking of living or buying in Kenya?
Click here to read articles about living in Kenya
Or click here for articles about buying real estate in Kenya
PropDom - the worldwide property domain for all things
regarding holidaying, buying a second home, investing in
property and retiring abroad.
Information for everyone and no advertising!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?
expert=James_E_Harrison
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On March 28, 2015
With forty-two tribes and more than forty
million residents, the history and the culture
of Kenya reads like a soap opera, and has
developed over hundreds of years of social
progression with significant foreign, regional
and local influences.
The Great Migrations into Kenya
The ethnic groups that exist in Kenya are not originally from
Kenya and their distinct cultural habits and ideals are
illustrative of these origins. Primarily, the Kenyan ethnic
groupings are products of the great migrations that occurred
in Africa since the early 2000BC. For instance:
The Bantus are tribes including the Kikuyu, Meru and
Akamba, etc., believed to have migrated from West Africa.
The Nilotes comprise of tribes such as the Luo and the
Maasai, and migrated to Kenya from South Sudan.
The Cushites such as the Oromo among others migrated
from Southern Ethiopa.
Influx of Asian Cultures
In addition to African influences in Kenya, during the 8th
Century, there was an influx of foreign cultures such as Asian
traders: Chinese, Arabic, Persian and Indian origins came into
the Kenyan coast to advance their trading ventures. The
intermarriage between these foreign cultures and local
cultures resulted in a new cultural phenomenon that was partly
African and partly Arabic, referred to as Swahili. Swahili is the
second official language in Kenya.
Portuguese Influence
It wasn't until the 16th century that the Portuguese swarmed
into Kenya to take advantage of the massive trading
opportunities offered by the East African coastline as a trading
route. Needless to say, local cultures at the Kenyan coast
absorbed some Portuguese culture in terms of language and
way of life.
British Colonization
The colonization by the British had the most impact on the
culture dynamics and history of Kenya economically, socially
and politically. The Europeans brought with them new cultural
ideals and principles that were enforced into local cultures to
form the belief systems and ideologies of ethnic groupings
and Kenya culture as they exist to date. This includes:
The introduction of Christianity
A new language- English, which is the first official language
in Kenya
Formal education
And adoption of new ways of living in terms of arts, music
and sports.
The Effects of History and Culture on Modern Kenya
The history of Kenya and its global influences are clearly
conveyed in today's Kenya in every facet of life, from the food,
music, dance and clothing styles to the languages spoken and
ethnic diversity and religious beliefs held.
As the world becomes more and more globalized, the culture
and history of Kenya will continue to be influenced and evolve
but the Kenyan Spirit will still remain.
---
Thinking of living or buying in Kenya?
Click here to read articles about living in Kenya
Or click here for articles about buying real estate in Kenya
PropDom - the worldwide property domain for all things
regarding holidaying, buying a second home, investing in
property and retiring abroad.
Information for everyone and no advertising!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?
expert=James_E_Harrison
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On March 28, 2015
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments......