Bomas of Kenya-preserving cultural heritage
By Situma Evelyn
Globalization is a phenomenon that has brought with it diverse elements- the central one being culture. Cultures have been borrowed and absorbed worldwide by different ethnic groups.
Professor Ali Mazrui, a Kenyan scholar and writer, in his video- The Triple Heritage, cites three cultures that have been unionized in Africa – Western, African and Islam. He refers to Senegal, a West African country that has embraced Islam and Western culture evident in the way people, in streets of Dakar dress and the French bread that is a must for every household.
Culture- however perceived, is the core of our existence. What are people without culture? For a society to have identity there is need to preserve its culture; that is eroding fast in the face of globalization. While this may possibly be the case, Kenya has done its share in preserving its culture for future generations.
Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya is a cultural conservancy that was established by the government of Kenya in 1971 to preserve, uphold and promote the deep and diverse Kenyan cultures.
Today, the Center, situated in Langata, within Nairobi area acts as a tourist attraction site. On a normal day one finds students from different institutions on a school expedition learning about their somewhat existing culture.
The Cultural Center is 10km away from Nairobi’s city center on your way to Kiserian. It represents 42 ethnic groups of Kenya and offers an assortment of Kenyan culture that consist of traditional songs and dances, Curio shops, the Bomas (traditional villages) and other social amenities like modern children play ground; Nyama Choma restaurant and picnic garden. There also are upcoming trail excursions and camping sites. It also boasts of 173 employees among them being Arts graduates from Kenyatta University who make up part of the professional traditional dancers team.
The cultural village plays host to everyone regardless of their religious affiliations. It has captivating scenes such as those of Muslims praying over lunch hour at the picnic garden, tourists on a tour of homesteads in their ‘Kodak’ moments, tour guides on monkey business (chasing after monkeys that eye guests’ food) and children swinging on the play ground.
Aside from it attracting leisure tourists, it is a common attraction site for scholars who often are amazed at the richness of such a culture. Surprisingly, paying a visit to Bomas of Kenya is equal to interacting with the 42 ethnic groups of Kenya in just a day.
Walking through the paved path that leads to the Bomas, through the leafy green forested vegetation while listening to melodious birds singing in harmony, is a breath taking experience for those who do not opt for nature drives across various sites or even home stays.
The 42 dances performed every evening at the centre, depict a people’s way of life and tell of stories in each of those communities. For instance, Esidialo, a dramatized Luhya dance performed by the Samia (a Luhya sub tribe) during a marriage ceremony, say of a bride who is captured by the groom while fetching firewood. She is later brought home by the groom and his kinsmen for an official introduction ceremony. This event is followed by a traditional marriage; and a Digo dance Sengenya performed by moving one leg and shacking shoulders. Percussive instruments –drums, flute, and shackles are used in this performance.
Kenya like any other African country may not be able to prevent its culture from being eroded in the face of globalization, but there is still some hope for countries that share her sentiments. Cultural conservancy is a way out of this dilemma. However, it is important to highlight and acknowledge the benefits that countries stand to achieve for their future generations out such an initiative.
By Situma Evelyn
Globalization is a phenomenon that has brought with it diverse elements- the central one being culture. Cultures have been borrowed and absorbed worldwide by different ethnic groups.
Professor Ali Mazrui, a Kenyan scholar and writer, in his video- The Triple Heritage, cites three cultures that have been unionized in Africa – Western, African and Islam. He refers to Senegal, a West African country that has embraced Islam and Western culture evident in the way people, in streets of Dakar dress and the French bread that is a must for every household.
Culture- however perceived, is the core of our existence. What are people without culture? For a society to have identity there is need to preserve its culture; that is eroding fast in the face of globalization. While this may possibly be the case, Kenya has done its share in preserving its culture for future generations.
Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya is a cultural conservancy that was established by the government of Kenya in 1971 to preserve, uphold and promote the deep and diverse Kenyan cultures.
Today, the Center, situated in Langata, within Nairobi area acts as a tourist attraction site. On a normal day one finds students from different institutions on a school expedition learning about their somewhat existing culture.
The Cultural Center is 10km away from Nairobi’s city center on your way to Kiserian. It represents 42 ethnic groups of Kenya and offers an assortment of Kenyan culture that consist of traditional songs and dances, Curio shops, the Bomas (traditional villages) and other social amenities like modern children play ground; Nyama Choma restaurant and picnic garden. There also are upcoming trail excursions and camping sites. It also boasts of 173 employees among them being Arts graduates from Kenyatta University who make up part of the professional traditional dancers team.
The cultural village plays host to everyone regardless of their religious affiliations. It has captivating scenes such as those of Muslims praying over lunch hour at the picnic garden, tourists on a tour of homesteads in their ‘Kodak’ moments, tour guides on monkey business (chasing after monkeys that eye guests’ food) and children swinging on the play ground.
Aside from it attracting leisure tourists, it is a common attraction site for scholars who often are amazed at the richness of such a culture. Surprisingly, paying a visit to Bomas of Kenya is equal to interacting with the 42 ethnic groups of Kenya in just a day.
Walking through the paved path that leads to the Bomas, through the leafy green forested vegetation while listening to melodious birds singing in harmony, is a breath taking experience for those who do not opt for nature drives across various sites or even home stays.
The 42 dances performed every evening at the centre, depict a people’s way of life and tell of stories in each of those communities. For instance, Esidialo, a dramatized Luhya dance performed by the Samia (a Luhya sub tribe) during a marriage ceremony, say of a bride who is captured by the groom while fetching firewood. She is later brought home by the groom and his kinsmen for an official introduction ceremony. This event is followed by a traditional marriage; and a Digo dance Sengenya performed by moving one leg and shacking shoulders. Percussive instruments –drums, flute, and shackles are used in this performance.
Kenya like any other African country may not be able to prevent its culture from being eroded in the face of globalization, but there is still some hope for countries that share her sentiments. Cultural conservancy is a way out of this dilemma. However, it is important to highlight and acknowledge the benefits that countries stand to achieve for their future generations out such an initiative.
Olorgesailie- tracing prehistoric events
By Situma Evelyn
An Elephant Bone remain at Olorgessaillie-Kenya
Olorgesailie is an archeological site museum situated along a lonely long tarmac Magadi road in Kajiado County. The site is a classic example of Acheulian industry marked by the famous hand axe and other stone tools like flakes, cobbles and cores made from various types of rocks found on the lake basin.
This extinct lake that was once surrounded by swampy mashes was affected by tectonic plate movements that lowered part of the Southern margin, causing Ol Keju Nyiro River to flow towards the south, destroying it. Increased aridity caused evaporation that led to lose of water that it was receiving through rain and river flow.
The site which is the cradle of man kind was first discovered in 1919 by a geologist, J.W. Gregory and has yielded many artifacts that date back to the early Stone Age period. It gives evidence of hominids life that took place a million years ago. The large animal remains on the site like the elephant depict the occupation and the diet of the inhabitants.
The site is made up of large visible layers of lake silt displaying materials excavated by Dr. and Mrs. Leakey that explain events which took place; for instance, the butcher where an antelope bone was found together with the stone tools believed to have been used to prepare the meat. To date, wild animals especially zebras are found in the area.
Olorgesailie has sparse savanna vegetation that stretches from Lake Nyasa in Southern Africa to Jordan valley in Palestine. This vegetation includes of scattered shrubs and savanna grassland. The area though hot with temperatures of about 35 degrees Celsius is not a discouragement for nature lovers who want to see artifacts in situ and scholars who continue to work on the site. It provides a viewing point of the Rift valley and also offers camping facilities in the company of local guides.
This extinct lake that was once surrounded by swampy mashes was affected by tectonic plate movements that lowered part of the Southern margin, causing Ol Keju Nyiro River to flow towards the south, destroying it. Increased aridity caused evaporation that led to lose of water that it was receiving through rain and river flow.
The site which is the cradle of man kind was first discovered in 1919 by a geologist, J.W. Gregory and has yielded many artifacts that date back to the early Stone Age period. It gives evidence of hominids life that took place a million years ago. The large animal remains on the site like the elephant depict the occupation and the diet of the inhabitants.
The site is made up of large visible layers of lake silt displaying materials excavated by Dr. and Mrs. Leakey that explain events which took place; for instance, the butcher where an antelope bone was found together with the stone tools believed to have been used to prepare the meat. To date, wild animals especially zebras are found in the area.
Olorgesailie has sparse savanna vegetation that stretches from Lake Nyasa in Southern Africa to Jordan valley in Palestine. This vegetation includes of scattered shrubs and savanna grassland. The area though hot with temperatures of about 35 degrees Celsius is not a discouragement for nature lovers who want to see artifacts in situ and scholars who continue to work on the site. It provides a viewing point of the Rift valley and also offers camping facilities in the company of local guides.