Kenya


HOME Europe France Ukraine England Poland Austria Netherlands Portugal Spain Germany Azia Egypt Cyprus Turkey India Sri-Lanka China Japan Africa Tunisia Kenya Tanzania Zambia Botswana	Area: 583 sq. km Population: 30.8 million Capital: Nairobi Language: English, Swahili Currency: Kenyan shilling Average temperature: +14 +28 � C all year round Kenya - Country in East Africa with an unusually beautiful and vibrant wildlife, ancient culture and history, picturesque and hospitable people. Kenya strikes by its geographic diversity - from snow-capped mountain peaks to extensive forests, deserts and wide plains. Main geographical attractions are located in the Great Rift Valley, with its extinct volcanoes, hot springs and geothermal areas, as well as on the coast of Kenya, with its coral reefs and gorgeous sandy beaches. The combination of a well-developed tourist infrastructure of hotels, resorts and lodges, and the rich flora and fauna, as well as a perfect warm climate, identifies Kenya as one of the most popular holiday destinations of thousands of tourists from around the world. Climate in Kenya In Kenya, the predominant type of sub-equatorial climate. The hottest and driest place in Kenya - the north-eastern plateau and vicinity of Lake Rudolf. In February and March, daytime temperatures reach 36 here .. 38 degrees Celsius, and night drop to 24 .. 26 degrees. In July and August, the day the air is heated to +32 .. +34 degrees, and at night cooled to +22 .. +24 degrees. In the Central Highlands temperature strongly depends on the altitude. For example, in the capital, which is located at 1,800 meters above sea level, in January, the day is celebrated around 25 degrees, and at night - around 12 degrees in July - +21 and +11 degrees, respectively. At higher altitudes at night frosts are frequent, and the highest point - Mount Kenya - covered in snow all year round. On the coast, the climate is mild. In January, the day the air is heated to +29 .. +31 degrees and the night cooled down to 22 .. 24 degrees in July, daytime temperatures reach 26 .. 28 degrees, and night - 21 .. 23 degrees. During the year in Kenya celebrated two rainy seasons: pronounced - from March to June - and less severe - from October to December. Most rain falls on the southern coast of the Indian Ocean and to the west of the country (on the eastern slopes of the Central Highlands). In these regions have up to 1,500 mm of rain a year. In the far north-east of the country has up to 500 mm of precipitation a year, while in the north-western part of the country near Lake Rudolf - up to 200 mm of rainfall per year. Traditions of Kenya Seven decades of British colonial rule, which was preceded by a long period of slavery, has led to the fact that many of the people of Kenya lost much of the cultural heritage of the past. In the villages of Central Kenya now rare to hear the sounds of tom-toms, see the dances at night campfire. "We are too tired during the day in the fields of white, were too hungry in the evening to dance the night" - spoken in uplands. Only in the northern and southern parts of Kenya, to a lesser extent affected by the influence of the colonizers, the best preserved cultural traditions and everyday living in these areas Nilotic and Cushitic pastoral peoples. In the process of historical development in Kenya has developed three major historical and cultural regions corresponding resettlement major ethno-linguistic groups of the country people: Bantu nilotov and Cushites. Bright and original Swahili culture that emerged in the coastal strip in the area of the centuries-old contacts African, Arab and Indian civilizations that went far beyond the ethnic groups, on the grounds that it had been developed. White robe embroidered with silver and GALABA hats men, blue-black coated with a la buibui women, large rectangular house with windows in the countryside, rich cuisine, heavily using seafood, Grand Bazaar, unknown in Central Kenya - all this gives the coastal settlements bright color. Medieval appearance Swahili-sky city retained, such as Lamu, due to its isolated geographical location is almost completely avoided the destructive effects of the colonial period. There is still work skilled craftsmen - jewelers, engravers on copper, wood carvers and ivory. Alive the tradition of huge carved doors, adorned with copper and chests inlaid with bronze. In communities Pate, Vitu, Keepin, Mom-brui and other ruins of the majestic buildings of the medieval heyday of Swahili civilization. Not far from Malindi thickets rainforest hidden ghost town Gedi declared inviolable national cultural monument. Most people do not know the Kenyan wooden masks, widespread in West Africa and the Congo Basin. When dancing or ritual ceremonies painted directly face (Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba) or used woven grasses hoods with slits for the eyes (luhya). Hence the difference between subjects Kenyan carvers on subjects other masters of Africa: instead dominant throughout the main story wooden masks Kenyan sculptors - figures of animals and people. Art is a relatively new, it appeared mainly as commercial art, designed for tourists. Per day up to a dozen carvers cut quite skillfully made, but similar to each other like two drops of water, the figures of elephants, rhinoceroses, or busts of soldiers. From the midst of these artisans have identified a number of talented sculptors (Vanzhau S., E. Nzhenga, D. Ki-Tusi). Artistic traditions of the peoples of Kenya are embodied in many home crafts and trades. Kikuyu, for example, reached a high skill in weaving baskets and mats, and in recent years - and the furniture of the sisal These products are decorated with bright geometric patterns. Kamba are renowned as the best wood carvers. Richly ornamented their original three-legged stool. Kisii in recent years have mastered the various cutting and Di MSRP figures from soapstone. The glory of the best dancers of Kenya won the long Kamba, dancing all the growing pace and including dance acrobatics. No less masterly skill measure and Embu - best tamtamistov Kenya. In military dances measure and Embu men only, dressed in red and green robes, their heads high crown caps, fur monkeys. Finally, giryamy known ceremonial dances performed by the light of the fire. The orchestra of folk instruments dominated string and wind. Kenyan version of the violin - oluiko - is used on the coast, and the lira - litunga - at luhya. Amadinda - a kind of xylophone - popular in Western Kenya, and plucked marimba - among the Kamba. Huge, up to two meters in length, is found in the horn of outpatient Luo. Written literature was born in the Kenyan coastal city. Lamu and Pate considered the main centers of the poetic school of Swahili coast. In Pate gvorit classic literature Swahili Said Abdullah (1720 - 1820). in Lamu Swahili poet Muyaka bin Haji Hassan al (1776 - 1840). Written literature people inside Kenya arose only in the XX century. The greatest modern writers and poets of the realist who dedicated their works subject of the national liberation struggle, the decolonization of African culture - Ngugi Wa Thiongo, M. Mwangi, G. Ogot, M. Gikaru, Okoth d'Bitek, D. Kariuki. In the past, a creative literary work was concentrated mainly around the universities, literary works published on the pages of students of university journals. Abroad (mainly in the UK) came out a limited number of works of Kenyans. Currently, state publishing "East Africain Publishing House" in Nairobi regularly publishes the best of Kenyan writers, poets and writers. Attractions in Kenya Nairobi Nairobi - one of the biggest cities in East Africa. English fort at the site of the city grew, was built at an altitude of almost two thousand meters to protect one of the first railways continent - Mombasa - Lake Victoria. The city a little more than 100 years, but during that time he was from a small village in the tiny oasis has become one of the most beautiful capitals of the African continent. The sights of Nairobi include Clock Tower in the city center, a modern business center, the Houses of Parliament to the mausoleum of the first president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta (1891 - 1978 gg.), The National Archives, the Indian quarter with dozens of magnificent Hindu temples, many mosques, Orthodox Coptic Church of St . Mark, Sikh temple, Railway Museum and the National Museum with a luxurious anthropology, "Snake Park", which serves national cuisine, as well as nearby Giraffe Centre Langat, Ngong hills and Nairobi National Park. Mombasa Mombasa - a former (until 1906), the capital of Kenya, one of the oldest cities in Africa and one of the richest ports Age of Discovery. Located on the island and connected to the mainland by a causeway, it still retained the appearance of a medieval city, which bizarrely united European, Arabic, Persian, and African traditions. There are interesting houses in the Arabic style, the Portuguese fortress Fort Jesus (XVI c.), The summer residence of the President of Kenya, as well as an oasis of Mzima Springs. Modern sea port in Mombasa - the second largest African port after Cape Town. But the main reason why tourists come to Mombasa - many kilometers of beaches to the north and south of town. Here, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, among shady palm groves, built a lot of first-class hotels and entertainment complexes. Malindi The ancient town of Malindi is much more interesting for tourists than the capital. Here you can find a cross set of Vasco da Gama (1498, the most ancient monument of the Portuguese on the coast), the first African church and tower of Vasco da Gama, and the whole neighborhood lined with luxury hotels. 16 km south of Malindi, lie the ruins of Gede (XIII c.) - One of the most intriguing cities in Africa. Excavations have revealed the city walls, gates and towers, homes, mosques and tombs, the great palace of the Sultan, as well as a developed system of wells and pools. It is still unknown what caused people to leave this once-wealthy city, so archaeologists are working on. Cities in Kenya Mambrui In Kenya the borders of the main areas of settlement of the peoples of three major language groups: Bantu nilotov and Cushites. About 65% of the African population of Kenya speaks zykah Bantu. Representatives of the Bantu - is by farmers Bantu central part (Kikuyu, Kamba), western Bantu (luhya, Kisii), coastal Bantu (Taveta, Swahili). Nilotic people of Kenya - Maasai, Samburu, Turkana - still live largely in isolation, preserving ancient traditions ranchers and not mixing with the surrounding nations. The peoples of Cushitic language group is 5% of the population and inhabit the northern and north-eastern parts of the country. The extreme north-eastern regions populated nations Ethiopian race (about 4% of the population). The small tribes of hunters who had found a refuge in the mountain forests of central Kenya (eg ndorobo), perhaps the descendants of the ancient inhabitants, representatives Khoisan language group (Bushmen). There are also live Indians, Europeans (0.5% of the population), Arabs (0.3% of the population). Of non-African ethnic groups before the rest in Kenya settled Arabs. Three quarters of the Arabs live in cities coast. The bulk of the Indians came to Kenya in the period of British colonial rule in the late XIX - nachaleXX century. These were contract workers employed in the construction of the railway. Later, some of them are engaged in trade, and educated have been taken in the colonial administration.

Area: 583 sq. km
Population: 30.8 million
Capital: Nairobi
Language: English, Swahili
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Average temperature: +14 +28 � C all year round

Kenya - Country in East Africa with an unusually beautiful and vibrant wildlife, ancient culture and history, picturesque and hospitable people. Kenya strikes by its geographic diversity - from snow-capped mountain peaks to extensive forests, deserts and wide plains. Main geographical attractions are located in the Great Rift Valley, with its extinct volcanoes, hot springs and geothermal areas, as well as on the coast of Kenya, with its coral reefs and gorgeous sandy beaches. The combination of a well-developed tourist infrastructure of hotels, resorts and lodges, and the rich flora and fauna, as well as a perfect warm climate, identifies Kenya as one of the most popular holiday destinations of thousands of tourists from around the world.

Climate in Kenya

In Kenya, the predominant type of sub-equatorial climate. The hottest and driest place in Kenya - the north-eastern plateau and vicinity of Lake Rudolf. In February and March, daytime temperatures reach 36 here .. 38 degrees Celsius, and night drop to 24 .. 26 degrees. In July and August, the day the air is heated to +32 .. +34 degrees, and at night cooled to +22 .. +24 degrees. In the Central Highlands temperature strongly depends on the altitude. For example, in the capital, which is located at 1,800 meters above sea level, in January, the day is celebrated around 25 degrees, and at night - around 12 degrees in July - +21 and +11 degrees, respectively. At higher altitudes at night frosts are frequent, and the highest point - Mount Kenya - covered in snow all year round. On the coast, the climate is mild. In January, the day the air is heated to +29 .. +31 degrees and the night cooled down to 22 .. 24 degrees in July, daytime temperatures reach 26 .. 28 degrees, and night - 21 .. 23 degrees.

During the year in Kenya celebrated two rainy seasons: pronounced - from March to June - and less severe - from October to December. Most rain falls on the southern coast of the Indian Ocean and to the west of the country (on the eastern slopes of the Central Highlands). In these regions have up to 1,500 mm of rain a year. In the far north-east of the country has up to 500 mm of precipitation a year, while in the north-western part of the country near Lake Rudolf - up to 200 mm of rainfall per year.

Traditions of Kenya

Seven decades of British colonial rule, which was preceded by a long period of slavery, has led to the fact that many of the people of Kenya lost much of the cultural heritage of the past. In the villages of Central Kenya now rare to hear the sounds of tom-toms, see the dances at night campfire. "We are too tired during the day in the fields of white, were too hungry in the evening to dance the night" - spoken in uplands. Only in the northern and southern parts of Kenya, to a lesser extent affected by the influence of the colonizers, the best preserved cultural traditions and everyday living in these areas Nilotic and Cushitic pastoral peoples.

In the process of historical development in Kenya has developed three major historical and cultural regions corresponding resettlement major ethno-linguistic groups of the country people: Bantu nilotov and Cushites.

Bright and original Swahili culture that emerged in the coastal strip in the area of the centuries-old contacts African, Arab and Indian civilizations that went far beyond the ethnic groups, on the grounds that it had been developed. White robe embroidered with silver and GALABA hats men, blue-black coated with a la buibui women, large rectangular house with windows in the countryside, rich cuisine, heavily using seafood, Grand Bazaar, unknown in Central Kenya - all this gives the coastal settlements bright color. Medieval appearance Swahili-sky city retained, such as Lamu, due to its isolated geographical location is almost completely avoided the destructive effects of the colonial period. There is still work skilled craftsmen - jewelers, engravers on copper, wood carvers and ivory. Alive the tradition of huge carved doors, adorned with copper and chests inlaid with bronze. In communities Pate, Vitu, Keepin, Mom-brui and other ruins of the majestic buildings of the medieval heyday of Swahili civilization. Not far from Malindi thickets rainforest hidden ghost town Gedi declared inviolable national cultural monument.

Most people do not know the Kenyan wooden masks, widespread in West Africa and the Congo Basin. When dancing or ritual ceremonies painted directly face (Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba) or used woven grasses hoods with slits for the eyes (luhya). Hence the difference between subjects Kenyan carvers on subjects other masters of Africa: instead dominant throughout the main story wooden masks Kenyan sculptors - figures of animals and people. Art is a relatively new, it appeared mainly as commercial art, designed for tourists. Per day up to a dozen carvers cut quite skillfully made, but similar to each other like two drops of water, the figures of elephants, rhinoceroses, or busts of soldiers. From the midst of these artisans have identified a number of talented sculptors (Vanzhau S., E. Nzhenga, D. Ki-Tusi).

Artistic traditions of the peoples of Kenya are embodied in many home crafts and trades. Kikuyu, for example, reached a high skill in weaving baskets and mats, and in recent years - and the furniture of the sisal These products are decorated with bright geometric patterns. Kamba are renowned as the best wood carvers. Richly ornamented their original three-legged stool. Kisii in recent years have mastered the various cutting and Di MSRP figures from soapstone.

The glory of the best dancers of Kenya won the long Kamba, dancing all the growing pace and including dance acrobatics. No less masterly skill measure and Embu - best tamtamistov Kenya. In military dances measure and Embu men only, dressed in red and green robes, their heads high crown caps, fur monkeys. Finally, giryamy known ceremonial dances performed by the light of the fire.

The orchestra of folk instruments dominated string and wind. Kenyan version of the violin - oluiko - is used on the coast, and the lira - litunga - at luhya. Amadinda - a kind of xylophone - popular in Western Kenya, and plucked marimba - among the Kamba. Huge, up to two meters in length, is found in the horn of outpatient Luo.

Written literature was born in the Kenyan coastal city. Lamu and Pate considered the main centers of the poetic school of Swahili coast. In Pate gvorit classic literature Swahili Said Abdullah (1720 - 1820). in Lamu Swahili poet Muyaka bin Haji Hassan al (1776 - 1840).

Written literature people inside Kenya arose only in the XX century. The greatest modern writers and poets of the realist who dedicated their works subject of the national liberation struggle, the decolonization of African culture - Ngugi Wa Thiongo, M. Mwangi, G. Ogot, M. Gikaru, Okoth d'Bitek, D. Kariuki.

In the past, a creative literary work was concentrated mainly around the universities, literary works published on the pages of students of university journals. Abroad (mainly in the UK) came out a limited number of works of Kenyans. Currently, state publishing "East Africain Publishing House" in Nairobi regularly publishes the best of Kenyan writers, poets and writers.

Attractions in Kenya

Nairobi

Nairobi - one of the biggest cities in East Africa. English fort at the site of the city grew, was built at an altitude of almost two thousand meters to protect one of the first railways continent - Mombasa - Lake Victoria. The city a little more than 100 years, but during that time he was from a small village in the tiny oasis has become one of the most beautiful capitals of the African continent. The sights of Nairobi include Clock Tower in the city center, a modern business center, the Houses of Parliament to the mausoleum of the first president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta (1891 - 1978 gg.), The National Archives, the Indian quarter with dozens of magnificent Hindu temples, many mosques, Orthodox Coptic Church of St . Mark, Sikh temple, Railway Museum and the National Museum with a luxurious anthropology, "Snake Park", which serves national cuisine, as well as nearby Giraffe Centre Langat, Ngong hills and Nairobi National Park.

Mombasa

Mombasa - a former (until 1906), the capital of Kenya, one of the oldest cities in Africa and one of the richest ports Age of Discovery. Located on the island and connected to the mainland by a causeway, it still retained the appearance of a medieval city, which bizarrely united European, Arabic, Persian, and African traditions. There are interesting houses in the Arabic style, the Portuguese fortress Fort Jesus (XVI c.), The summer residence of the President of Kenya, as well as an oasis of Mzima Springs. Modern sea port in Mombasa - the second largest African port after Cape Town. But the main reason why tourists come to Mombasa - many kilometers of beaches to the north and south of town. Here, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, among shady palm groves, built a lot of first-class hotels and entertainment complexes.

Malindi

The ancient town of Malindi is much more interesting for tourists than the capital. Here you can find a cross set of Vasco da Gama (1498, the most ancient monument of the Portuguese on the coast), the first African church and tower of Vasco da Gama, and the whole neighborhood lined with luxury hotels. 16 km south of Malindi, lie the ruins of Gede (XIII c.) - One of the most intriguing cities in Africa. Excavations have revealed the city walls, gates and towers, homes, mosques and tombs, the great palace of the Sultan, as well as a developed system of wells and pools. It is still unknown what caused people to leave this once-wealthy city, so archaeologists are working on.

Cities in Kenya

Mambrui

In Kenya the borders of the main areas of settlement of the peoples of three major language groups: Bantu nilotov and Cushites. About 65% of the African population of Kenya speaks zykah Bantu. Representatives of the Bantu - is by farmers Bantu central part (Kikuyu, Kamba), western Bantu (luhya, Kisii), coastal Bantu (Taveta, Swahili). Nilotic people of Kenya - Maasai, Samburu, Turkana - still live largely in isolation, preserving ancient traditions ranchers and not mixing with the surrounding nations. The peoples of Cushitic language group is 5% of the population and inhabit the northern and north-eastern parts of the country.

The extreme north-eastern regions populated nations Ethiopian race (about 4% of the population). The small tribes of hunters who had found a refuge in the mountain forests of central Kenya (eg ndorobo), perhaps the descendants of the ancient inhabitants, representatives Khoisan language group (Bushmen). There are also live Indians, Europeans (0.5% of the population), Arabs (0.3% of the population).
Of non-African ethnic groups before the rest in Kenya settled Arabs. Three quarters of the Arabs live in cities coast. The bulk of the Indians came to Kenya in the period of British colonial rule in the late XIX - nachaleXX century. These were contract workers employed in the construction of the railway. Later, some of them are engaged in trade, and educated have been taken in the colonial administration.