|
The arts are often described as the soul of a country,
and this is as true in Kenya as anywhere. Music is one of the most popular art forms.
Songs often tell stories of family history, cultural events, wars, weddings and daily
life. Some Kenyan musical instruments are the nyatiti, which is a four-string guitar played like a harp and the udi, a stringed instrument similar to the sitar. For percussion, a can with stones or beans inside is tied to the ankle. It makes a rattling sound when the foot is tapped on the ground. A popular Kenyan song, Malaika, written by Fadhili Williams, has been translated into many languages and is played from Japan to the United States. |
||
|
Drama and dance are favourite forms of artistic expression.
School children enter competitions to perform elaborate plays about the different
tribes and their cultures. The best performance wins recognition and respect for the
participants' abilities. School groups travel all over the country to compete. Kenya has produced its share of well-known authors. The books Weep Not, Child and Petals of Blood by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, received national and international acclaim, as have the works of Meja Mwangi and Ali Mazrui. As in all countries, Kenyans love to tell folk tales, especially around the fire at night. Kenyan children enjoy hearing the adults tell stories about ancestors, spirits, and anything about the olden days. Many Kenyans make beautiful crafts that they sell in the cities and to tourists. Woodcarvings are popular, either as small objects or as small pieces of furniture. Carvings in ebony, called makonde and in soapstone are also popular. Jewellery is made from seashells, brass, beads and gold. Sisal rugs and baskets display the talents of Kenyan weavers and are a more practical artworks that see everyday use. |
|