KENYATTA UNIVERISTY

KOKONYA HENRICUS

cultural heritage tourism Supply in Kenya

Culture is the expressions of a people way of living, different or similar but with different meaning to that

of other people, it’s an appreciation of a people language, ideas, arts and craft. Kenya has a rich cultural

history that has been enriched by its contacts with other cultures and also internally by the interactions of

its many ethnic group. This rich potential remains un explored for tourism.

Kenya’s rich cultural heritage supply includes –

1. Cultural Festivals – Over the years and in celebrations of Kenyan diverse cultures several cultural

festivals have gained prominence in Kenya. These cultural festivals have not only become tourist

attractions in themselves, but have also been tools in promoting peace and spurring economic

activity. These cultural festivals are –

i) Lamu Cultural Festival –Is held in Lamu to celebrate the past and present of Lamu. Several

competitions are held over a period or a week with the main aim of preserving and

exemplifying the Lamu way of life, these competitions include, Swahili poetry, henna

painting, Bao competition, traditional dhow races and donkey races, the festival also

presents a great opportunity to shop for local items.

Photo credit – Magical kenya

 ii) Maralal Camel Derby – has over the years gained international prominence, attracting

international visitors and camel enthusiast. The Camel race begins in the center of the town,

and also include a race for cyclist. The event is not only a race but also an opportunity to

visit the area and learn about the local cultures and peoples.

Photo Credit – Magical Kenya

iii) Masai Initiation and cultural Festivals –The Masai occupy most of the areas where Kenya

best wildlife is found , being a warrior people many visitors have always sought to learn

how they have managed to live with the wildlife and also learn about their culture , popular

ceremonies such as Emuratta – circumcision , and Enkiama – marriage continue to be major

points of cultural interest , with hotels even organizing Masai Marriage ceremonies for

their clients.

2. Monuments – these are statues, buildings or structures erected to commemorate a special person

or event, more over they also add to the beauty and aesthetics of a city and are a constant reminder

to national values and ideals – tourist visit such sites or see such sites as part of their everyday

itinerary.
i) Dedan Kimathi Statue – The statue was unveiled on the 15th August 2007, to mark 50 years

since the capture of Dedan Kimathi who was an important figure in the struggle for Kenya

independence. Then statue was built by the Kenyatta University School of Fine Arts, one

of the few and top art leaning centers in the region.

ii) World War Memorial Statues – these are erected on Kenyatta Avenue and almost not

noticeable , they were erected in 1918 in memory of the Kenyan fighters in the world wars.

iii) Galzon-Fenzi Memorial – it was built in memory of Galton Paul Fenzi – the founder of the

Automobile association of Kenya. Its is also what is called Kilometer Zero, the point from

which all distance to other parts of the country are measured from.
3. Bomas of Kenya – was started by the Kenya Government in 1971, to maintain and preserve the

rich and diverse cultural values of various ethnic groups in Kenya. They have performances of

original Kenyan Culture dances and also maintain a staged center of Kenya village life and model

houses. They also undertake research and have a library and multimedia center that disseminates

research findings and assisting students, teachers and researchers in accessing information on

cultural music, dances and practices from various ethnic communities of Kenya

Apart from the cultural performances the Bomas of Kenya also collects cultural artefacts of various

tribes of Kenya.

4. National Museums of Kenya – The national museums ofc Kenya was established in 1910, the

museums aim to be a global leader in heritage research and management. The institution is major
 custodian of Kenya’s heritages and preserves important paleontological finds of Kenya such as the

Turkana Boy. It also manages important cultural and historical sites. These include –

i) Kariandusi Prehistoric Site- it’s a site near Elementaita, with a rich source of obsidian tools

made by early man.

ii) Olorgasalie- located on the way to Magadi, plenty if fossils and early artifacts were

discovered here.

iii) Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site- near the town of Nakuru, here were found Neolithic fossils,

tools, and Iron Age artifacts.

iv) Koobi Fora Prehistoric Site- located near Lake Turkana, many fossils both animal and plant

have been discovered here to show how the early man was living.

5. Historical Buildings – these are builds that represent a cultural or historical interest either in

themselves or as part of events.

i) Stanbic House – this was the first ever building in Nairobi to have an elevator, it was built

in the 1920´s by Major Grogan a British explorer. The building is among the oldest

buildings in Nairobi.

ii) Macmillan Library – was also built in the 1920´s by Lady Lucy McMillan in memory of

her husband, it was officially opened in 1931.

iii) Kipande House -, was built in 1931, its is the place where African people, original went to

get their identity cards during the colonial times, the building once boasted the tallest clock

tower in Nairobi. The exterior of the building is made of blue stone.

References

Magical Kenya.

National Museums of Kenya website.