Culture and Customs of Kenya - (Culture and Customs of Africa) by Neal W Sobania (Hardcover)

About the Book

Kenya, a land of safaris, wild animals, and Maasai warriors, perfectly represents Africa for many Westerners. This peerless single-source book presents the contemporary reality of life in Kenya, an important East-African nation that has served as a crossroads for peoples and cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia for centuries. As such, it is a land rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, where unique and dynamic traditions blend with modern influences. Students and general readers will be engrossed in narrative overviews highlighting Kenyan history, as well as the beliefs, vibrant cultural expressions, and various lifestyles and roles of the Kenyan population. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the narrative.

Kenya today struggles with nation building. Its society comprises the haves and the have-nots and faces the challenges of the trend toward urbanization, with its attendant disruption of traditional social structures. For Kenyans, the preserving of traditional cultures is as important as making the statement that Kenya is a modern nation. Chapters on the land, people, and history; religion and worldview; literature, film, and media; art and architecture; cuisine and traditional dress; gender roles, marriage, and family; and social customs and lifestyle are up to date and written by a country expert. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the narrative.

Book Synopsis

Kenya, a land of safaris, wild animals, and Maasai warriors, perfectly represents Africa for many Westerners. This peerless single-source book presents the contemporary reality of life in Kenya, an important East-African nation that has served as a crossroads for peoples and cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia for centuries. As such, it is a land rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, where unique and dynamic traditions blend with modern influences. Students and general readers will be engrossed in narrative overviews highlighting Kenyan history, as well as the beliefs, vibrant cultural expressions, and various lifestyles and roles of the Kenyan population. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the narrative.

Kenya today struggles with nation building. Its society comprises the haves and the have-nots and faces the challenges of the trend toward urbanization, with its attendant disruption of traditional social structures. For Kenyans, the preserving of traditional cultures is as important as making the statement that Kenya is a modern nation. Chapters on the land, people, and history; religion and worldview; literature, film, and media; art and architecture; cuisine and traditional dress; gender roles, marriage, and family; and social customs and lifestyle are up to date and written by a country expert. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the narrative.

Review Quotes

?[C]learly written and includes a great deal of detailed information fur students exploring a variety of cultural topics.?-Multicultural Review

?This is a useful survey of cultural practice in historical and contemporary Kenya.?-The International Journal of African Historical Studies

?This reference will provide students with additional discussions beyond the encyclopedia and will be a good source to check basic information. It fits well with high school world studies assignments as they learn about this continent?-Gale Reference for Students

"ÝC¨learly written and includes a great deal of detailed information fur students exploring a variety of cultural topics."-Multicultural Review

"[C]learly written and includes a great deal of detailed information fur students exploring a variety of cultural topics."-Multicultural Review

"This is a useful survey of cultural practice in historical and contemporary Kenya."-The International Journal of African Historical Studies

"This reference will provide students with additional discussions beyond the encyclopedia and will be a good source to check basic information. It fits well with high school world studies assignments as they learn about this continent"-Gale Reference for Students

About the Author

NEAL SOBANIA is Professor of History and Director of the International Education Office at Hope College, Holland, Michigan.