Kenya Done By: Mariam H Moza H Reem H Alanoud H Shamma H

General Information

Kenya Kenya is a country in Africa. Its capital and largest city is Nairobi. KiSwahili is the official language, although English is widely spoken in commercial areas. There are two primary rainy seasons: the long rains roughly from April to June and the short rains during October and November.

A Bantu Kikuyu woman in traditional clothes A Nilotic Turkana woman wearing traditional neck beads

Masai Mara women in their traditional dresses

Traditional Shuka for men

More than 42 ethnic communities in Kenya having its own traditional practices and symbols that make it unique.

High Context Culture

Business customs

Greeting  The common way to greet someone is by shaking hands.  Close female friends can hug each other and kiss each cheek once.  When it comes to greet an elder person, you have to hold his waist with your left hand while shaking hands, it shows respect.  You shouldn’t rush a greeting, if you did it would be considered rude.  The most common greeting is to say how are you, which is “ Jambo?” immediately after shaking hands.  After you have developed a personal relationship, you can call them by their first name or nickname.  It is normal to ask about their health and family.

Business card exchange  Business cards exchange could be during greetings or before you leave.  You can give and receive a card with both hands or only with your right hand, avoid accepting the business card with your left hand only.  Don’t show anger in kenyan culture displays of anger means mental instability.

Dress code  DON'T wear tank-tops or tight, revealing clothes if you are a woman. Some areas of Kenya are Muslim, so it's best for women to dress modestly.  Dress formally for business occasions. For men, wear a suit and tie. For a woman, wear a dress or suit, but make sure the skirt is below the knee.  Swimming suits are only acceptable at the beach but not in public places.

Meetings  Meetings schedules may be planned or not at all depending on the owner of the company.  Kenyans are amused at the concept of an ending time, since they believe the meeting only ends when all members are finished.

Gift exchange  Gifts exchange is acceptable in Kenya. You have to wrap the present nicely, and it should be a practical gift.  Alcohol is not accepted as a gift.  Receiving and giving a gift should be either with your right hand or both hands, you shouldn’t give or receive with your left hand only.

Body Language

Language

 Sticking out your tongue is rude.  Winking can be seen as an offensive thing.  Pointing at someone is not a rude sign unless it has been attended with a threatening word.  When Kenyans talk to someone they stand close to each other. If the other person stood back, it will show that you are not friendly. Some of them will shake hands during a conversation, which shows that they are feeling comfortable or attracted. Some shake hands to show that they agree on what has been said.  Many Kenyans in the rural areas don’t maintain regular eye contact while speaking and that doesn’t show that they are dishonest, but in urban areas if you don’t have eye contact with the person your talking to it shows that you are not interested and not being honest.  Some people use loud voice only in disagreements, but others in rural areas greet with a loud voice across fences and rivers. They tend to use different voice tones between friends. Body Language

Kenyan Proverbs

Having a good discussion is like having riches Traveling is learning. who eats alone, dies alone Beauty comes from within, a beautiful heart comes from a beautiful person.

Kenya Arts & Culture

Wood carvings The Kamba people are considered the best carvers, and have long been known as skilled woodworkers. Soapstone carvings Made of soapstone found in western Kenya, first mine the soapstone from the hills around the village of Tabaka and then, using knives or handmade tools, the craftsman individually carve each piece. Masks Ancestry is very important to the African people to show honour to their ancestors. Masks are designed and decorated with elaborate hair and jewellery to show great wealth.

Music The music of Kenya is both diverse and inclusive. This musical diversity gives Kenya a unique, and really fun, musical landscape.

Dancing  Dancing is an important part of Kenyan culture.  Men perform line dances, some of which involve competing to see who can jump the highest.  Dance is often an element of religious ceremonies, such as marriage, child naming, and initiation.

Video

Famous buildings in Kenya

One interesting thing about this building is that there are no air conditioners; instead they use natural air flowing from the ‘fins’. Kenyatta International Conference Centre

Mahatma Gandhi Wing – University of Nairobi The living Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi houses the college of Arts, Science and Commerce. A beautiful statue of Gandhi is found in the premises.

Popularly referred to as ‘Bell Bottom House’ is another modern architectural masterpiece that survived the 1998 US Embassy bombing. Presidential home- Nairobi

two pairs of giant aluminium elephant tusks Moi Avenue - Mombasa

Most of the farmer’s houses were quite basic structures made of tree limbs and mud with thatched roofs Traditional home-Kenyan nomads

References  Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved Dec 18, 2014, from Countries and their Cultures: Ma/Kenya.html  Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan 11, 2015, from African Proverbs in African Literature: THE BEST: 72+ AFRICAN WISE PROVERBS AND INSPIRING QUOTES  Kenya Arts & Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved Dec 20, 2014, from Kenya mession: un.ch/?About_Kenya:Kenya_Arts_%26amp%3B_Culture  THE BEST: 72+ AFRICAN WISE PROVERBS AND INSPIRING QUOTES. (2012, Jun 22). Retrieved jan 4, 2015, from AFRICTO?RIAL: proverbs/ proverbs/

References  Cultural Information - Kenya. (2009, 10 15). Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from Centre for Intercultural Learning: eng.asp?iso=ke#tphp  Facts to know before you travel to Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from kenya travel information :  Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from kwintessential: etiquette/kenya.html  Kenyan Etiquette Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from Vayama:  Lucia Kolaja Bordean, P. S. (2012, 9 10). Business Cards in Africa. Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from passport career: in-africa/

References  Anonymous. (n.d.). High-Context Culture: Definition, Examples & Quiz. Retrieved January 19, 2015, from Education Portal: culture-definition-examples-quiz.html#lesson  Anonymous. (n.d.). Kenya Country Overview. Retrieved January 19, 2015, from Encyclopedia of the Nations: ml  Anonymous. (n.d.). Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from Kwintessential: etiquette/kenya.html  Anonymous. (n.d.). The Flag of Kenya. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from Enchanted Learning: