Project: Kenya/Country
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Location
Kenya country that lies on the Equator in East Africa. Kenya shares borders to the north with South Sudan and Ethiopia, to the east with Somalia and the Indian Ocean, to the south with Tanzania, and to the west by Lake Victoria and Uganda.
See Also: Geography of Kenya
Administrative Divisions
Kenya is divided into administrative units known as counties. The counties are geographical units created by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya as new units of devolved government. They replace a previous system of provinces and districts. There are 47 counties. Each county is further divided into sub-counties, and within those, there are constituencies. Additionally, there are wards corresponding to the County Assembly Wards of the County Government. These administrative divisions facilitate local governance and representation.
See Also: Administrative Divisions of Kenya
Nairobi is Kenya's capital and also its largest city with more than 5 million residents. Other major cities include Mombasa and Nakuru.
History
Human habitation in Kenya dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period. Early hominins left their mark at sites like Koobi Fora and Olorgesailie. From the 8th to 15th centuries, the Kenyan coast flourished with Swahili city-states, engaged in trade with Arabia and beyond. In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers arrived, followed by Omani Arabs. The coastal region became a hub for trade and cultural exchange. In 1895, the East Africa Protectorate was established by the British. It later became a colony named Kenya after its highest mountain. The Mau Mau Uprising of 1952 marked a significant struggle which resulted in Kenya declaring independence from Britain on 12 Dec 1963. Jomo Kenyatta became the first President. Since gaining independence, Kenya has faced challenges, including tribal tensions, economic shifts, and political changes, but in recent years, Kenya has become a vibrant nation, experiencing growth, development, and democratic transitions.
See also: History of Kenya
Ethnicities
The population of Kenya consists of three primary ethnic groups which constitute a substantial portion of the nation’s population and contribute significantly to the country’s social fabric. The largest ethnic group in Kenya are the Kikuyu people who primarily inhabit the central region of the country. They have played a significant role in Kenya’s history, culture, and politics. The Luhya ethnic group resides mainly in western Kenya. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, including music, dance, and traditional practices. The Kalenjin people are primarily found in the Rift Valley region. They have a strong athletic tradition and have produced many successful long-distance runners. Kenya’s diversity also extends beyond these major groups, and includes various other ethnicities such as the Luo, Kamba, Somali, Kisii, Maasai, Turkana, and many more.
See Also: Kenyans
Languages
Swahili is widely spoken in Kenya and serves as a lingua franca for communication across different ethnic groups. Approximately 17 million people in Kenya use Swahili. English, the nation's other official language and was inherited from British colonial rule. English is spoken by around 2 1/2 million people. It plays a crucial role in business, higher education, and government. Kenyan English, a distinct local dialect that has evolved since colonization, incorporates features from local Bantu languages like Kikuyu as well as some elements of American English. Kenya’s various indigenous ethnic groups typically speak their own native languages within their own communities. These languages belong to three broad language families: Bantu (Niger-Congo), which is spoken by the majority, and includes languages like Kikuyu, Luhya, and Kamba; Nilotic (Nilo-Saharan), which is spoken by Nilotic populations, and includes languages like Kalenjin; and Cushitic (Afroasiatic), which is spoken by ethnic minorities, such as the Somali community.
See also: Languages of Kenya
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Religions
Kenya's secular constitution ensures freedom of religion amongst its citizens. Christianity, the predominant religion of Kenya, is adhered to by approximately 85% of the population. More than 60% of Kenyans identify as Protestant, Evangelical, or members of African churches, while Roman Catholics constitute about 20% of the population. Islam is the nation's second largest religion and is practiced by about 10% of Kenyans. Indigenous Religions are also practiced by some Kenyans who adhere to traditional African beliefs. This number includes some Christians and Muslims. These indigenous practices vary across ethnic groups and involve reverence for ancestors, spirits, and natural elements. Kenya also hosts adherents of Hinduism, Baháʼí, Buddhism, and other spiritual paths.
See Also: Religion in Kenya
See Also: Demographics of Kenya
Kenyan Naming Conventions
Traditional Kenyan communities follow a patronymic or matronymic naming system. Many tribes use a prefix in their local language to denote the relationship between a father or mother and their child. For instance, the Kikuyu use the term ‘wa’, which means ‘of’. Thus, a name like ‘Kimani wa Mumbi’ signifies Kimani, the son of Mumbi. However, this practice is becoming less common in contemporary Kenya, and today, it is increasingly common for children to adopt their father’s surname.
Naming practices vary across communities, but most Kenyan children are given at least three names: one selected by the parents, one selected by the maternal grandparents, and one selected by the paternal grandparents. These names may reflect the tribe they belong to, family connections such as the names their grandparents, the time or season of the child’s birth, or even global or national events (for example, many children born after the 2008 US presidential election were named ‘Obama’ or ‘Michelle’). Christian parents also often give biblical names to their children.
The order of names is typically: Christian name, traditional name, and family name.
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