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History Of Kenya,The People & Tribes And What Attracts Tourists To Tour
Kenya is one of the tourist's destinations in African continent and it is situated in East Africa region and comprises of the five States that form East Africa Community of which it is a member.
Kenya has 8 provinces which through the new constitution progumulated in August 2010 will be turned into Counties.
Things To Know About Kenya
Named after Mount Kenya or Kirinyaga,(meaning ‘The Mountain of Whiteness') ,which lies almost in the centre of the country and marks its highest point, Kenya straddles the equator and covers an area of almost 600,000 square kilometers. Lying on the shores of the Indian Ocean, on the east coast of Africa, Kenya borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. Most of the north and northeast of the country is either uninhabited or sparsely habited desert.
Capital City
Nairobi, (taken from Maasai word Nyrobi meaning place of cool waters), and also known as ‘the Green City in the Sun' and ‘the ‘ Safari Capital of the World' ,has an unofficial population of approximately 2.7 million people. It came into being in May 1899 as an artificial settlement created by the European builders of the East Africa railway, located at' Mile 327' from the Coast. Easily the largest city in East Africa, Nairobi is also the youngest, the modern, the highest (at 1700m) and the fastest growing.
Environment Concerns
With one of the highest population growth rates in the world, Kenya requires ever-increasing amounts of agricultural land for crops and firewood for fuel; thus deforestation is a major problem. Some 10 million trees have, however, been planted over the past two decades with the help of private groups and tree nursery programs. Soil erosion and desertification occur in some areas. Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to significant water pollution and water contamination is a serious problem; only about 30 percent of the rural population has access to safe drinking water.
The Landscape
The landscape of Kenya is distinctly divided into two halves; the eastern half slopes gently to the coral-backed seashore, the western portion rises more abruptly through a series of hills and plateaus to the Eastern Rift Valley, known in Kenya as the Central Rift. West of the Rift is a westward-sloping plateau, the lowest part of which is occupied by Lake Victoria. The highest point in the country is the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya (5,199m), the second highest mountain in Africa (and one of the largest freestanding mountains in the world with a base diameter of 200km). The Coastline extends some 536 km from the Tanzanian border in the southeast, to the Somali border in the northeast. The main rivers are the Athi/Galana and the Tana.The major lakes are: Lake Victoria, Turkana, Baringo, Naivasha, Magadi, Jipe, Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementeita.
Climate
Kenya is a range –land country and therefore displays great contrasts in topography and climate: snow-capped peaks give way to deserts, palm fringed beaches to rolling Savannah plains, Alphine highlands to the lunar semi-deserts of the north east. Since the country straddles the equator, the climate remains stable all year. The days are sunny and hot, but the nights can be cool. Broadly speaking January to February is dry; March to May is wet (‘long rains') ; June to September is dry; October to December is wet (short rains') .The Coast is always hot (average centigrade).The average daytime temperature in Nairobi is 21-26 degrees centigrade ,while the temperatures elsewhere depend on altitude. July to August marks the Kenyan winter.
Flora
Kenya's flora is deiverse: along the Coasts are forests containing palm, mangrove, teak, copal and sandalwood trees. Forests of baobab, euphorbia and acacia trees cover the lowlands to an elevation of approximately 915m.Extensive tracts of Savannah (grassland) interspersed with groves of acacia and papyrus, characterize the terrain from 915 to 2,745 meters above sea level. The principal species in the dense rainforest of the eastern and south-eastern mountain slopes are camphor and bamboo.
Fauna
Despite the tremendous losses inflicted by hunting and poaching during the twentieth century, Kenya teems with wildlife. There are 80 major animal species ranging from the ‘Big Five' (Elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion and leopard) down to tiny antelopes such as the dik-dik, which is slightly larger than a rabbit. At least endemic species are endangered.
Avifauna
An ornithologist's paradise, Kenya is the finest country in Africa for bird watching; boasting around 1,137 species of birds; and 60 IBAs (Important Bird Areas) .To spot more than 100 bird species in a day is common.
National Parks
Kenya's total wildlife conservation area is 44,359 square kilometers or 7.6% of her total area. The main parks are: Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National park, Meru National Park, Mt Elgon National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. One of the most popular tourist destinations, The Maasai Mara, is actually designated a national reserve. There are two major marine parks: Mombasa Marine National Park and Malindi/Watamu National Park
World Heritage Sites
Fort Jesus –Fort Jesus, now a museum, became the focal point f the island. In the years between 1631 and 1875, the fort changed hands nine times. In 1631, the townspeople revolted and killed every Portuguese on the island, but the Sultan of Mombasa had no real support and the Portuguese reoccupied Fort Jesus and consolidated their control. The Omanis, who had been steadily gaining strength, took the town and laid siege to the fort from 1696-98.The Santo Antonio de Tanna sank in 1697 while trying to break the siege (and the museum holds numerous relics recovered from the ship).After 33 months Fort Jesus again changed hands, with most of the defenders having died from starvation or disease.
The Gedi Ruins-Gede is an archaeological site that consists of ruins of a 15th century Arab-African settlement. It covers an area of about one square kilometer. An amazing old growth coastal forest covers much of it. As the whole site is fenced off and guarded, the forest is well protected against encroachment and poaching. It provides an ideal refuge for monkeys and other mammals, including the rare golden-rumped elephant shrew, duikers, and bushbucks. The bird life is prolific, resembling the diversity in the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke forest, with several endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else. Encounters with snakes are common, including green and black mambas, forest cobras, and several harmless species. The climate is very hot and humid throughout the year.Luckily; the Indian Ocean is always there for a "cool "bath!
Koobi Fora-Koobi Fora, an archaeological site, is located in East Africa. More specifically, it's on the east side of Lake Turkana .Richard Leakey first excavated Koobi Fora in 1967. At this site, both Australopithecines and early Homo fossils have been found. Richard Leakey uncovered approximately four hundred fossils at the Koobi For a. As a result, the site is known for having the richest and most varied human remains that have been found in the world. Surface prospecting made the first discoveries in the fossil beds at Koobi Fora.This involved locating areas where bones and teeth are exposed as a result of soil erosion. Some of the finds include a complete skeleton, several skulls, and a few dozen lower jaws. Also found were leg and arm fragments and some teeth. Leakey and his archaeological team recovered a fossil hominid, called 1470, which is classified as Homo habilis. This fossil is associated with the stone artifacts also found at the sites. The thousands of tools found were thought to have been used for a variety of purposes. The main purpose, though, was to cut meat off of bones and to break open larger bones to get the marrow inside. This creature, Homo habilis, is believed to have lived 2,000,000 years ago and be of direct ancestor of modern man, Homo sapiens.
Mount Kenya-Mt.Kenya is a dome-shaped central volcano. It is the largest mountain in Kenya .Ten glaciers cover the volcanoes peaks. The original crater on Mt. Kenya was over 20,000ft (6100m) high but has been heavily eroded. Most of this erosion occurred during two periods when glaciers carved much of the top of the volcano. These periods wore down the ring-like plug forming the top of Mt. Kenya .In fact, almost 35% of the volcano has been worn away. Several types of volcano rocks make up the mountain. The Mount Kenya site consists of all the rocks erupted from Mt. Kenya and volcanoes that were built by it. It covers 2700 square miles in 65-mile (105km) diameter circle around the volcano.
Volcanic activity at Mt.Kenya was concentrated in Pleistocene times. Much of this activity took place through the many vents on the slopes of the volcano.
Hells Gate National Park-Hells Gate National Park lies South of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, North West of Nairobi. It is known for its wildlife and for its scenery, including the Fischers Tower and Central Tower columns and Hells Gate Gorge. The national park is also home to three geothermal power stations at Olkaria.Hells Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square kilometers and is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 kilometers from Nairobi.Thge Park is situated 14 kilometers after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway. It is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer, but it is now thought that the famous pair of birds may not have nested in the park for several years.
The Park is popular due to its close proximity to Nairobi (90 minutes drive) and lowered park fees compared to other National Parks. One is encouraged to hike and cycle in the park. This is a rarity in Kenyan National Parks, and is only made possible due to the lack of dangerous animals such as lions and elephants, though there is a small number of cheetahs and African Buffalo. The park is equipped with 3 basic campsites.
Maasai Mara National Reserve-The Maasai Mara is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named for the Maasai people (the tradition inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River, which divides it, it is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August, a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration. With an area of 1510 kilometre squared the Maasai Mara is not the largest game park in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous. The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with clusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the southeast region. The western border is the EsoitOlololo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 kilometers from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.
Lamu-Lamu, Kenya's oldest living town was one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years. An Arab traveler Abu-al-Mahasini who met a judge from Lamu visiting Mecca in 1441 first attested the town in writing. The town's history is marked by Portuguese invasion beginning in 1506, and later the Omani domination around 1813(the year of the Battle at Shella).The Portuguese invasion was prompted by the nation's successful mission to control trade along the Coast of the Indian Ocean. For considerable time, Portugal had a monopoly in shipping along the East African Coast and imposed export taxes on the pre-existing local channels of commerce .In the 1580s, Lamu led a rebellion against the Portuguese, prompted by Turkish raids. IN 1652, Lamu was assisted by Oman in lifting Portuguese control. Lamus years as an Omani protectorate mark the town's golden age. During this period, Lamu became a centre of poetry, politics, arts and crafts as well as the trade.Lamu town is the largest town on Lamu Island, which in turn is apart of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya.Lamu town is also the headquarters of Lamu District and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historic Sites
Kenya has over 400 historical sites ranging from prehistoric fossils and petrified forests, to 14th century slave trading settlements, Islamic ruins and 16th century Portuguese Forts.
The Cradle of Mankind (6,500,000 BC- 50,000 BC)
Known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind' Kenyan history dates back to the dawn of time when Homo erectus, Homo habilis and other species of early mankind roamed the area. The first conclusive signs of human prehistory came in the form of fossils, most of which were found by the Leakey family on the shores of Lake Turkana (Koobi Fora) and in the East African Rift Valley.
Early Settlers (50,000 BC -500AD)
From around 50,000 BC onwards, African early human lived as ‘hunter-gatherers,' learning how to make tools, communicate and use fire. From 2000BC onwards, the hunter-gatherers were joined by huge numbers of immigrant communities, who travelled to Kenya from all over the African continent. The earliest distinct migration was of Cushitic –speaking people from Ethiopia, then in the first few centuries AD came the Nilotic-speaking ancestors of the present day Kalenjin peoples, and from the west and south came the Bantu speakers, forebears of today's Kikuyu, Gusii, Akamba and Mijikenda peoples.
The Swahili Coast Develops (500AD-1498)
Arab and Persian migrants started to arrive from 500AD onwards sand the Kenyan coast rapidly developed as a vital trade link between the Mediterranean, Europe, West Africa and the East Indies. Trade rapidly expanded into the African interior, where goods were exchanged for ivory and slaves.
The Arrival of Portuguese Rule (1498-1698)
The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed in Malindi in 1498 and the Portuguese subsequently ruled the cost for two centuries of economic and religious oppression, building Mombasa's Fort Jesus as their military headquarters in 1593.
Omani Domination (1698-1837)
In 1696 the Omani Sultans challenged Portuguese rule and in 1698, Fort Jesus fell. The Swahili coast then came under the rule of Muscat until 1837 when the Omanis were finally defeated.
European Exploration of Kenya (1844-92)
In 1844, two German missionaries, Johann Ludwig Kraft and Johannes Rebmann, became the first Europeans to venture into the Kenyan interior. They were followed by Richard Burton and John Speke; and Dr David Livingstone and Henry Stanley, all of who came to Kenya in search of the source of the Nile. Joseph Thomson broke into new territory in 1882 and he inspired James Hannington, who discovered Lake Bogoria, and Count Samuel Teleki and Ludwig von Hohnel, who discovered Lake Rudolf (now Lake Turkana).
The Partition of East Africa (1856-91)
British interests in East Africa climaxed at the end of the European power struggle known as the ‘Scramble for Africa,' and in 18885 the British government declared Kenya a protectorate and construction began on the Mombasa to Uganda railway, which was dubbed the ‘Lunatic Express' (completed in 1901) .They also introduced a scheme allowing landless aristocrats, middle-class adventures, big-game hunter, ex-servicemen and Afrikaners to settle in the country.
World War 1
By 1916 the Europeans had re-appropriated most of Kenya's farming land and discontent between the settlers and Kenyans began. During World War 1, one in four of the 1,200,000 African porters and soldiers conscripted died; those who returned were deeply influenced by the experience .Political associations began to spring up and by 1921 there were numerous protests and rallies calling for an end to colonial rule.
World War 11
During World War 11 the Kings African Rifles fought bravely in Ethiopia and Burma but returned to Kenya to find that while land was being awarded to British soldiers in recognition of their services, it was not being awarded to African soldiers; this considerably deepened the simmering discontent. Postwar African politics stepped up the pressure for independence with the formation of the Kenya Africa Union, which was headed by Jomo Kenyatta in 1946.
The Mau Mau Rebellion
Rising discontent culminated in the largely Kikuyu-led Mau Mau rebellion against British rule. In 1952 the British government declared a state of emergency and thousands of British troops were sent to Kenya. A fierce guerilla war was fought and thousands of Kenyans were detained in concentration camps. The revolt ended in 1956 with the capture of Dedan Kimathi, Commander in Chief of the Land and Freedom Army.
Independence 1963
By 1960 the British had accepted the need for Kenya independence and preparations for the changeover began. On Madaraka day June 1st 1963, Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya's first prime minister and on December 12th, 1963 Kenya became formally independent.
The Tribes of Kenya
Kalenjin-The rough translation of the word Kalenjin means ‘I tell you.' Believed to have migrated from Sudan nearly 2,000 years age, these people consist of an estimated 3 million in Kenya. Most of these people live in the Great Rift Valley, in Western Kenya .Traditional clothing consisted of animal skins. Either of domesticated animals or wild animals. Heavy brass coils were used as earnings, which stretch the earlobe almost to the shoulder.
Kamba- Also known as Akamba. These are people who live in the semi-arid areas of Eastern Province .They are the fifth largest ethnic group in Kenys.Anthropologists believe that the Kamba are a mixture of several East African people. A large number of them are pastoralists.
Kikuyu. The Kikuyu are of Bantu origin and make up the country's largest tribal group and their heartland surrounds Mt. Kenya. The original Kikuyu are thought to have migrated to the area from the east and northeast from the 16th century onwards. Famously warlike, the Kikuyu overran the lands of the Athi and Gumba tribes, becoming hugely populous in the process. Today, 20% of Kenyans are Kikuyu. The Kikuyu also fiercely resisted the British, spearheading the Mau rebellion in the 1950s that was a major catalyst for the end of British rule. The Kikuyu territory borders that of the Maasai, and intertribal raids on property and cattle were once common. Despite this, intermarriage between the tribes occurred, and there are many cultural similarities between the tribes today. The Kikuyu are the most best politically represented tribe in Kenya due to the influence of Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya. Initiation rites for both boys and girls are very important ceremonies and consist of ritual circumcision for boys and girls. Circumcision for boys and female genital mutilation for girls (although the latter is slowly becoming less common). Each group of youths of the same age belongs to a riikaan (age-set) and passes through stages of life, and their associated rituals together. Subgroups of the Kikuyu include the Embu, Ndia and Mbeere.
Luo (also called Jaluo and Jolou) are an ethnic group in Kenya, eastern Uganda, and northern Tanzania .They were formerly also known by the no-obsolete classification Nilotic Kavirondo.They are part of a larger kin of Lou peoples who inhabit an area including Southern Sudan, northern and eastern Uganda, western Kenya, and northern Tanzania.
The Luo are the third largest ethnic group (12%) in Kenya, after the Kikuyu (20%) and the Luhya (17%).The Luo and the Kikuyu inherited the bulk of political power in the first years following Kenya's independence in 1963.
The primary Luo live hood is fishing. Outside Louland, the Luo work throughout eastern Africa as tenant fishermen, small-scale farmers, and urban workers. They speak the Dholou language, which belongs to the Western Nilotic branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family spoken by other Luo-speaking peoples such as the Lango, Acholi, Padhola and Alur.
Luhya – The Luhya are of Bantu origin and are made up of 17 groups. They are the Second-largest group after the Kikuyu, but occupy a relatively small area in western Kenya centred on Kakamega, where they settled around the 14th century. Population densities here are incredibly high. In times past, the Luhya were skilled metal workers, forging knives and tools that were traded with other groups, but today most Luhya are agriculturists, farming groundnuts, sesame and maize. Smallholders also grow large amounts of cash crops such as cotton and sugarcane. Many Luhya still have a strong and powerful belief in witchcraft and superstition, although, to the passing travelers, this is rarely obvious. Traditional constume and rituals are becoming less common, due mostly to the pressures of the soaring Luhya population.
Maasai- For many, Maasai are the definitive symbol of ‘tribal' Kenya. With a reputation (often exaggerated) as fierce warriors and a proud demeanour, this tribe of Nilotic origin has largely managed to stay outside the mainstream of development in Kenya and still maintains large cattle herds along the Tanzania border.
The Maasai first migrated to central Kenya from current-day-Sudan, but in the late 19th century they were decimated by famine and disease and their cattle herds were routed by render pest. The British gazette the Maaasai Mara National Reserve in the early 1960s, displacing the Maasai, and they slowly continued to annex more and more Maasai land. Resettlement programs have met with limited success as the Maasai scorn agriculture and land ownership. There is strong taboo against ‘piercing' the soil and the dead are traditionally left to be consumed by wild animals. Maasai women are famous for their vast plate-like bed necklaces, while men typically wear a red checked shuka (Maasai blanket) and carry a distinctive ball-ended club. Blood and milk is the mainstay of the Maasai diet, supplemented by a drink called mursik, made from milk fermented with cow's urine and ashes, which is shown to lower cholesterol. At around the age of 14, males become el-moran (warriors) and build a small livestock camp (manyatta) after their circumcision ceremony, where they live alone for up to eight years. Before returning to the village to marry.Morans traditionally dyes their hair red with ochre and fat. Female genital mutilation is common among the Maasai, despite the best efforts of various human rights groups. Tourism provides an income either through being guides and camp guards (askaris) ,selling everyday items (gourds,necklaces,clubs and spears) ,dancing or simply posing for photographs. However, the benefits are not widespread .In recent years, many Maasai have moved to the cities or coastal resorts working for hotels and restaurants.
Rendille-The Rendille, who are of Cushitic origin, are pastoralists who live in small nomadic communities in the rocky Kaisut Desert in Kenya's northeast. They have strong economic kinship links with the Samburu and rely heavily on camels for many of their daily needs, including food, milk, clothing, trade and transport. The camels are bled by opening a vein in the neck with a blunt arrow or knife. The blood is then drunk on its own or mixed with milk. Rendille society is strongly bound by family ties, and these centre around monogamous couples. Mothers have a high status and the eldest son inherits the family wealth. It is dishonorable for a Rendille to refuse a loan, so even the poorest Rendille often has claims to at least a few camels and goats.
Samburu- Closely related to the Maasai, and speaking the same language, the Samburu occupy arid areas directly north of Mt. Kenya. It seems that when the Maasai migrated to the area from Sudan, some headed east and became the Samburu. As with the Rendille, Samburu warriors often paste their hair with red ochre to create a visor to shield their eyes from the sun. Age is an important factor in assigning social status and a man passes through various stages before becoming a powerful elder in his 30s. Samburu families live in a group of huts made of branched, mud and dung, surrounded by a fence made of thorn bushes. Livestock, which are kept inside the fence perimeter at night, are used for their milk rather than for meat.
Swahili-Although the people along the coast do not have a common heritage, they do have a linguistic link-Kiswahili (commonly referred to as Swahili), a Bantu-based language that evolved as a means of communication between Africans and the Arabs, Persians and Portuguese who colonized the East Africa coast. The word Swahili is a derivative of the Arabic word for Coast is Sahel. The cultural origins of the Swahili come from intermarriage between the Arabs and Persians with African slaves from 7th century onwards. The Swahili were to become one of the principal slaving forces in Africa. Almost all Swahili practice Islam, although it usually takes a more liberal form than that practiced in the Middle East. Swahili subgroups include Bajun, Siyu, Pate, Mvita, Fundi, Shela, Ozi, Vumba and Amu (residents of Lamu).
Turkana-Turkana are Kenya's true desert tribe in Kenya. The Turkana are one of Kenya's more colourful (and warlike) people. Originally from Karamanjong in northeastern Uganda, the Turkana number around 250,000, living in the virtual desert country of Kenya's northwest. Like the Samburu and the Maasai (with whom they are linguistically linked), the Turkana are primarily cattle herders, although, recently fishing on the waters of Lake Turkana and small-scale farming is on the increase. The Turkana are one of the few tribes to have voluntarily given up the practice of circumcision.
Asians in Kenya- There has been a major influx of the Asian community including the Hindus, Sikh, Muslims, Chinese and even Filipino. There are approximately 100,000 Asians living in urban areas of Kenya which include Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.Initially, Asians accompanied the British in order to construct the Kenya-Uganda railway. Subsequently the railway brought Indians engaged in trade from the coastal cities into the interior. In the national language Swahili the term'Wahindi' is used to describe the Indian community, which directly means Indians.
European Settlers in Kenya. There is a prominent presence of European Settlers here in Kenya. The appropriate Swahili term is ‘WAZUNGU'which directly translated means White. The Wazungu group in Kenya consists of the descendants from British Settlers during the colonial era, the various expatriates that live and work in Kenya, and Kenyan citizens. They have contributed to the Kenyan socioeconomic and environmental infrastructure in numerous ways including conservation plans and projects, educational development and other professional activities.
About the Author
Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation.
This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on The History Of Kenya, The Tribes And People & What Attracts Tourists To Tour. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http:// / www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/services/tourist-flights.html