Khanga, kitenge and kikoi cloths may be bought in markets and the Bishara Streets of Nairobi and Mombasa. There is a particularly good cooperative shop in Machakos which sells kiondos, bags dyed with natural dyes and with strong leather straps. Makonde carvings are sold throughout the country, and young Kamba and Masai men sell carvings and necklaces on the beaches of the south coast. Please make your purchases from licensed vendors only! Shopping hours: 8:30AM-12:30PM and 2-5:30PM Monday to Friday (Saturday is morning only.) Note: The sale of souvenirs made of wildlife skins (this includes reptiles) are forbidden.
Lamu Museum: The two-story house which is now the museum was originally used by the British colonial government. This building, which is typical of 18th century Swahili architecture, now houses an unparalleled collection of ethnographic material from the Swahili, Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups. Of particular interest is the fascinating display of traditional Swahili craft, furniture and jewelry.
The evenings abound with entertainment from Kenya's dance bands, cabarets, acrobats and local folklore dancers.
The religions professed in Kenya are as varied as its people. Indeed, there are more than 1,700 registered religious organizations in the country. The first Muslim Arab immigrants established themselves on the coast as early as the 8th century AD and developed the Muslim oriented Swahili culture in their coastal settlements. The Muslims are now the largest minority faith (nearly 20 per cent) and include both Sunni and Shia groups. The Ismailis, the followers of the Aga Khan, are also prominently represented.
If any doubters still existed, Kenyan runners won the World Cross-country Championships in Norway yet again and in the recent World Athletics Championships at Tokyo they won another 8 medals, coming fourth overall in the world.
Kenyans love to party, and the music style known as benga is the contemporary dance music that rules. It originated among the Luo people of western Kenya and became popular in the area in the 1950s. Some well-known exponents of benga include Shirati Jazz, Victoria Jazz and the Ambira Boys.
A Midwestern Guy Goes to Africa The course described climbing Mount Kenya, a photo safari to Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara, hiking in the Maasai home of Nguruman, flying to the Lamu on the Muslim coast after taking the night train to Mombasa, and sailing down Kenya's coast in an ancient dhow. But besides that, we would see a Kenya that few tourists get a chance to. I would witness a Masai warrior graduation, find lion tracks outside my tent, sleep in a Masai boma (house) and get invited to a wedding on Kiwaiyu. -Jim Damico