The Desturi Trust

What is our culture?

What is it that defines us from other peoples other than a territorial boundary and a birth certificate?

Growing up in the 8-4-4 school system, we were taught English and Swahili , often with a cracking ruler over your head if you couldnt master Ngeli ya M at the required speed. Not to mention Maziwa ya Nyayo.

We have been and continue to be at war in each other becuase of  a history of tribalism. It may not be as explosive as it has been in some parts of Africa, but it is there none the less and continues to happen.

It is still difficult to marry outside your race

It is till frowned upon to marry someone who is not of  not of your tribe

Out of 40 + ethnic groups, what do we really know of each other? Do we know what the El Molo people are? Do we know of the ancestry of our tribes?

Kenya is easily identifiable with The Maasai, athletics, President Obama, The Great Wildebeest migration and long white coastal beaches..

What culture is easily identified with being Kenyan??  What is it that identifies us as US?

kenya-flag

Kwa sababu gani napaswa kujivunia kuwa Mkenya?

The definitions of Culture are numerous and are continuously evolving.

However, they are important as they allow us to maintain order in our social structures. Language, education, rites of passage, family ties and relationships…all these are  parts of our culture which are constantly forced to respond to the world as it changes.  Parts which end up being forgotten and lost.

Let us remeber our culture…and share it!

Do you know why the Ngurario exists? Or that most Kikuyu traditions are heavily borrowed from the ancient Athi Tribe?

Do you know of the origins of your name? Ever wondered what influences the dialects in indigenous languages? Knowledge about our culture gives us the ability to positively voice our opinions and the power to decide on the quality and direction of our lives.

Let us share, debate, discuss, educate and inform each other.

Culture is cool!