KenyaAn Exploration of the Culture

Presented by: Frank Downard, Courteney Duncan, Bethany Foster, Brittney Gesbeck and Julie Hagen

CMST 101May 2011

AbstractThe following is an analysis of various aspects of Kenyan culture as it relates to interpersonal communication. The cultural topics covered will be:o nonverbal communicationo verbal communication o gender roleso communicative properties of formal and informal clothing

These will be discussed in the context of various communication principles and concepts, including: o kinesicso proxemics o emblems o vocalicso dominant behavior

Through analysis, a better understanding of the culture of Kenya will be encouraged, and through understanding strategies will be developed to facilitate effective communication with the people of Kenya.

KENYA:At a Glance

LAND Located on the east coast of Africa. About twice the size of Nevada.

OFFICIAL Name: Republic of Kenya Gained independence from European

countries in 1963 (British East Africa). Official languages: English, Swahili.

PEOPLE Population: approximately 41 million (2011). Nearly half the population is under the age of

15, and the average age is 19. Approx. 40 ethnic groups live in Kenya. The

major subsets are Kikuyu (22%), Luhya (14%), Luo (13%), Kalenjin (12%), and Kamba (11%).

Europeans, Arabs and Asians make up only about 1% of the population.

Nearly half the population is Christian, though pre-Christian beliefs are still common, and Islam is growing.

(“World Factbook,” 2011)

Image: The World Factbook (2011)

Image: The World Factbook (2011)

Nonverbal Communication:Cues to Watch for

The First Impression—Appearance

Starting with “hello”—Kinesics and Eye Contact

Continued Interaction—Proxemics, Vocalics, and Dominance

Do’s and Don'ts—Things to Keep in Mind.

Nonverbal Communication: The First

Impression In urban areas, most business is conducted in

formal business attire. Men are expected to wear a suit and tie. Professional women may also wear suits or

dresses. If a skirt is worn, it will be of at least knee-length.

(“Kenya: language, culture customs, and etiquette,” n.d.).

In rural areas, the clothing is much less formal:

Informal dress will vary depending on the ethnicity prominent in the area visited.

Clothing may be more revealing in rural areas than urban.

Some ethnicities use emblems, such as hair styles or jewelry, to indicate certain social statuses: marriage, children, etc.

Muslim areas, generally along the coast, will often sport traditional Muslim garb

(“Kenya: language, culture customs, and etiquette,” n.d.)

Students and urban youth can be very westernized. They will often wear jeans, t-shirts and hip-hop

influenced clothing. Even among youth, revealing clothing is generally

frowned upon.(“Kenya: language, culture customs, and etiquette,”

n.d.)

Image: state.gov (2009)

Image: Sassoon (n.d.)

Nonverbal Communication: Starting with “hello”

Handshakes are expected at greetings between men. All men shake hands when

greeting one another. A younger or subordinate man

is often expected to lower his eyes during the greeting.

Clasping the right hand with the left is also a sign of respect for an elder or superior.

(“Kenya,” n.d.). Greetings for women:

May include a limp handshake. More often consists of a hug

and a kiss on the cheek. Muslim women often will not

exchange greetings with men, and by some doctrines are prohibited from interacting with them at all.

(“Kenya,” n.d.).

Image: Hockstein (2008)

Nonverbal Communication: Continued

Interaction Proxemics

After the greeting, business is conducted at arms length.

Touching is rarely done while conducting business, except between very good friends

Like many African and Middle Eastern countries, men often hold hands in public in a non-sexual manner.

Proxemic norms are more relaxed in rural areas, and may include more touching and less personal space than is experienced in the cities or during formal business.

(“Kenya: language, culture customs, and etiquette,” n.d; United Nations Office at Nairobi, n.d.).

Vocalics It is considered rude to raise one’s voice at

any time, even in praise.(United Nations Office at Nairobi, n.d.).

Dominance Men are normally greeted and served before

women.(“Kenya,” n.d.).

Image: state.gov (2009)

Nonverbal Communication: Do’s and Don'ts DON’T

Don’t use your left hand. It is generally reserved for hygiene and sanitation.

Don’t signal people with your left hand, point, or beckon with your palm facing upward. These actions are considered offensive. Kenyans often use their chin to point, rather than their hand.

Don’t take pictures of people without their permission—especially the President. This is even more important in rural areas, where superstitions regarding cameras may still linger.

Don’t decline food or drink if it is offered.

DO Do clasp your left hand around the other person’s when

shaking hands with an elder. This is an exception to the rule above.

Do grasp a person’s elbow in greeting instead of their hand if your hands are dirty, and expect them to do the same.

Do wait for a woman to initiate interaction, if you are a man. Many women are prohibited from interaction with men outside of their family.

Do offer a tip for taking someone’s picture, especially in rural areas.

(“Kenya: language, culture customs, and etiquette,” n.d; United Nations Office at Nairobi, n.d; “Kenya,” n.d.).

Image: state.gov (2009)

Verbal Communication

Image: Wainscoat (n.d.) Image: Stanley (n.d.)

Verbal Communication: Language

Kenya is a multilingual country Swahili and English are the

official languages There are 62 other languages

spoken in the country These consist of African tribal

languages Most African languages come

from three different language families Bantu languages Nilotic languages Cushitic languages

(“Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette” (n.d.).

Image: exploringkenya.com

Verbal Communication: Kenya Tribes and Linguistic Groups

The Bantu Bantu people live mainly in the coastal, central,

and western regions of the country They occupy less than 30 percent of Kenya's

land base but form more than 70 percent of the population.

The most notable among the Bantu are the Kikuyu, Luhya, and Kamba tribes

The Nilotic Nilotic people reside in Kenya's broad Rift-

Valley region, around Lake Victoria The Maasai, Turkana, Samburu, Luo, and

Kalenjin are the most significant Nilotic tribes The Cushitic

Cushitic people live in the arid and semi-arid eastern and northeastern parts of Kenya

Somali are the largest Cushitic ethnic group in Kenya

Others Kenyan Asians (mostly Indians) Kenyan Arabs (from Yemeni, Omani, and

Persian Kenyan Europeans (from British origin)

(“The Kenyan People” (n.d.).

Images: kenya-information-guide.com (n.d.)

Verbal Communication: Communicating Through Culture

Kenya culture is a way of life that is a blend of thousands of years of tradition with modern influences Music and Dance

Traditional music and dance is part of Kenyans' lives and forms an important part of Kenya culture

Harmonious beats and rhythm are central parts of dance, which is traditionally backed by drums and guitar instruments

Theatre and Literature Kenya has a strong oral tradition Stories are passed on throughout the generations,

often in the form on song The Kenya National Theatre is a performing art

center for cultural music, dance, and plays written by Kenyan authors

Art and Artifacts Most arts and artifacts are crafted manually from

local materials Beautifully carved wood sculptures are produced

in large quantities and sold to tourists Other popular Kenya artifacts include colorful

hand-woven sisal baskets, beaded jewelry, gold and silver jewelry, musical instruments, tribal masks, figurines, paintings, prints, and beautiful traditional Kikoys (African sarongs)

(“Kenya Culture” (n.d.).

Image: kenya-information-guide.com (n.d.)

Image: eileen-morrow.blogspot.com (2009)

Gender RolesThe differences between men and women in Kenya

Kenyan MenCenturies of Tradition

Regulator of Life Make all decisions Own all property

Homes Land

Primary Family Women become

property of family Women are forced

to marry other male members within family

Image: intrepid travel (2009)

Image: redbubble.com (2010)

Women of Kenya struggling to be heard

Second Class Citizens, Voices not heard Man is head of household Little to no influence regarding

decisions and their own lives Not able to own property or land

worked Forced into marriage

If widowed, women are “inherited” by brother or close relative

Changes are possible Article 27(8) – Government &

Legislature to implement principles of no more then 2/3 of the members shall be the same gender

Article 81 – adopt same principle as above

Article 91 – Political parties respect & promote equality

MEGEN – Men for Gender Equality Now Recognizes need for men to participate in

the fight for gender equality

Image: Zunia.org (2009)

Image: africastyledaily.com (2010)

Times, they are changing…

Tribal life Older Women

Hold important roles in tribal life Command Respect

Different Types of attitudes in men Resistance to change MEGEN

Mzalendo, Eye on Kenyan Parliament Women and Top Political Office

21 out of 222 parliamentarians are women

7 out of 44 women are permanent secretaries

7 out of 425 ministers are women

Image: worldofstock.com (2011)

Image: Wall Street Journal (2010)

Kenyan Diverse Styles of DressFormal and Informal

Diversity of Kenya Formal Dress

Kikuyu Tribe Western society influence Shukas

Large, square pieces of red & blue cloth

Fling over their bodies & tie around their neck/shoulders

Masai Maria Tribe Women

Vast plate-like bead necklaces

Kangas Colorful wraps

Men Shuka

Red checkered blanket Red indicates power

Carry a distinctive ball-ended club

Kikuyu Tribe typical woman in formal dress; Shuka is proudly shown

Men of the Masai Maria Tribe in typical formal dress

Diversity of Kenya Formal Dress

Western Culture Inspired Kalenjin Tribe

Women Skirts Blouses Dresses

khangas Men

Trousers Shirts Suit jacket Sport coat

Akamba Tribe Leather short kilts

Made from animal skins or tree bark Jewelry

Copper Brass Neck-chains Bracelets Anklets

Woman of Kalenjin Tribe

Women member of the Akamba Tribe

Diversity of Kenya Formal Dress

Luhya Tribe Traditional clothing

Worn on specific occasions Worn only by certain people

Cultural Dancing Wear feathered hats Skirts made of sisal strands

Circumcision Rites Wear clothing made of skins Paint themselves with red ochre

(a pigment) or ash Turkana Tribe

Women Yorfas

Sheepskins/goatskins dyed red or black

Create Mohawks, adorned with beads

Men Wear wrap as tunics

Women of the Luhya Tribe

Members of the Turkana Tribe, with the adorned Mohawk

Kenyan Informal Dress

Western style clothing Colorful Skirts Jewelry

Rich cultural heritage

Kanga Tribe with colorful cloth used as shirts, shawls, and skirts

Kenyan Informal Dress Turkana Dress

Both men and women wear brightly colored objects around their necks

Accessories Wrist knives Stools Walking sticks

Women Wear oblios

Necklaces that Turkana women wear upon reaching the appropriate age to marry

Masai Dress Dress according to the traditional nomadic ways

as herders Women

Kanga Bead necklaces

Men Red-checkered blankets, shukas

Coastal Regions Muslim-influenced

Johos Long robes

Kofias Traditional hat

Kikois and Kikoys Brightly colored cloth which can be worn many ways

Tribal men wearing Kikoys, brightly colored cloth

Tribal members with Kofias, traditional hat

Questions What is the significance of eye contact during a

greeting, and how would you use this knowledge to your advantage?

Does it matter when greeting the same/different gender? If so, how do you compensate?

As Kenya’s society progresses into a more democratic state, will women of prominence be accepted more easily?

If women of Kenya are to initiate contact, and they are not as respected as much as men, how effective is a woman’s communication if she is so restricted by the cultural standards imposed upon her?

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