With 42 tribes in Kenya, defining a specific entertainment as ‘traditional’ is almost impossible without going into an excessive treatise on the subject. Every tribe has song, dance, costumes and musical instruments particular to their area. This article provides a brief overview of the types of leisure, some examples from various tribes and the place you’ll find traditional leisure when you come to Kenya.

Music is a form of traditional leisure virtually globally so it isn’t any surprise to search out Kenyan tribes also singing. Every of the 42 tribes has their own language, so it is simple to tell where the song is from… so long as you can recognise the language! Throughout the tribes one thing is identical: there are completely different beats and words for songs related with the assorted ceremonies. This means that when a Kikuyu returns to his village and hears singing he can tell what is happening. It doesn’t suggest however that if a Taita goes to the Kikuyu village he will even be able to tell what is occurring, unless he understands Kikuyu. So every tribe has circumcision songs, party songs, marriage ceremony songs, funeral songs, new baby songs and so on.

Alongside with singing comes dancing and, again, 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 about the shoulders and for Luos it’s in regards to the hips. The Maasai males leap and it is a show of manliness if they can jump higher than their peers.

Dance is complemented by the traditional costumes which are made from materials found in a tribe’s area. Luo men 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 ladies wear grass skirts. Within 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 typical Russian hats! The boys typically wear white and the women a brown-beige colour. Kikuyu men additionally carry swords and have a belt made of animal skin to carry the sword.

Musical devices usually accompany the singing and dancing and most of the people are acquainted with the African drum. But there are even variations in how the drum is used throughout Kenya. For instance, 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 frequent with the old men teaching lessons by means of tales to the young boys. Nowadays comedy is changing into in style, with sketches carried out between music sets. The stories and sketches are often set in on a regular basis situations that Kenyans can easily relate to.

Bomas of Kenya placed on a lengthy efficiency 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 leisure each Sunday and on public holidays. For those who visit a Maasai village on your safari, the villagers will perform a welcome dance for you. The Samburu villages do the same in northern Kenya. Finally, the Lake Turkana Cultural Festival may 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 various cultures living together. They sing, they dance, they build huts, they cook, they dress traditionally – it’s fantastic! It’s held every Might in Loiyangalani on the shore of Lake Turkana and well worth the journey.

Here’s more info in regards to richest people in kenya look at the website.