About Kenyans

Kenya is endowed with a rich historical, cultural and natural heritage and is popularly known as the Cradle of Mankind. Kenya is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in Africa. There are more than 40 tribal groups in Kenya; no one single cultural element can describe them. Distinctions between many of them are blurred, western cultural values are becoming more ingrained and traditional values are disintegrating. Yet, even though the average Kenyan may have outwardly drifted away from tribal traditions, the first question asked when two of them meet is 'What tribe are you from?

The majority of Kenya’s populations are the Kikuyu who make 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, AKamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other Africans 15%, Asians, Arabs and Europeans make 1%.
82.5% of the Kenyans are Christians, 47.4% are Protestants and approx. 33% are Catholics. 11% Muslims and 9% other Traditional believes. (2009 Census) They are generally very friendly, warm hearted and humble.

Source:CIA World Fact Book

Kenyans are united under the Black, Red, Green and White colors of the Kenyan flag and the spirit of their Motto Harambee, which means pulling together as a community. Traditional African beliefs play a significant role in their lives. They practice traditional values of humility, respect to the elderly, concern for neighbors and maintenance of kinship ties. Beliefs in superstition are not common except deep in the rural areas. Activities such as marriage, child naming, burials and other rites of passage are still heavily influenced by traditional beliefs and practices and ranges from community to community.

Some communities have retained more of the traditional African lifestyle than others. They live in huts, walk barefoot, dress in robes and decorate their hair with colored soils. The Maasai tribe is famous for maintaining a nomadic way of life revolving around cattle and the search for pasture. This fiercely proud tribe of warriors has resisted numerous attempts to modernization and consequently has gained great respect and curiosity in the international world.

When traveling it's always fun and important to get up close with the locals. Take some of your precious time to meet ordinary people going about their dairy business. A visit to the bustling cities and villages will be an eye opener to the determination of the people. There is real poverty in Kenya and you will soon realize that you are more fortunate than most local people you will meet. Right from casual workers in sprawling industrial complexes to executives at the stock market and further onwards to the roadsides where men and women of all ages are earning a living for their families. Everyday has its fortunes: sometimes business is good, other times they walk home with nothing. Entrepreneurship is the locomotive engine behind these attributes of hard work and perseverance as Kenyans remain united in the quest for success and fulfillment. Don't be afraid to step out of that tour bus, the experience will be worth it.

Arts and craft

Kenya is a hub for beautiful cultural inspired arts and crafts which depict the traditional facet of the Kenyans. The Kenyan Art and craft business contributes about K. Sh6 billion to the Kenyan economy and has created many jobs in the rural areas mostly to women groups and self help organizations. Some of the items are sold as memorabilia to visitors. This include sisal baskets, maasai bead jewelry and shields, musical instruments, soapstone sculptures, wooden animals carvings, tribal masks, paintings, prints on batik clothes, sculptures, kangas-women’s wraparound skirts with beautiful patterns mostly with Swahili proverbs printed on them, kikoi textile sarongs and many others. The most popular Arts and crafts markets are Maasai and City markets in Nairobi.