Kenya Kenya is a country in Africa. Its capital and largest
city is Nairobi. KiSwahili is the official language, although
English is widely spoken in commercial areas. There are two primary
rainy seasons: the long rains roughly from April to June and the
short rains during October and November.
Slide 4
A Bantu Kikuyu woman in traditional clothes A Nilotic Turkana
woman wearing traditional neck beads
Slide 5
Masai Mara women in their traditional dresses
Slide 6
Traditional Shuka for men
Slide 7
More than 42 ethnic communities in Kenya having its own
traditional practices and symbols that make it unique.
Slide 8
High Context Culture
Slide 9
Business customs
Slide 10
Greeting The common way to greet someone is by shaking hands.
Close female friends can hug each other and kiss each cheek once.
When it comes to greet an elder person, you have to hold his waist
with your left hand while shaking hands, it shows respect. You
shouldnt rush a greeting, if you did it would be considered rude.
The most common greeting is to say how are you, which is Jambo?
immediately after shaking hands. After you have developed a
personal relationship, you can call them by their first name or
nickname. It is normal to ask about their health and family.
Slide 11
Business card exchange Business cards exchange could be during
greetings or before you leave. You can give and receive a card with
both hands or only with your right hand, avoid accepting the
business card with your left hand only. Dont show anger in kenyan
culture displays of anger means mental instability.
Slide 12
Dress code DON'T wear tank-tops or tight, revealing clothes if
you are a woman. Some areas of Kenya are Muslim, so it's best for
women to dress modestly. Dress formally for business occasions. For
men, wear a suit and tie. For a woman, wear a dress or suit, but
make sure the skirt is below the knee. Swimming suits are only
acceptable at the beach but not in public places.
Slide 13
Meetings Meetings schedules may be planned or not at all
depending on the owner of the company. Kenyans are amused at the
concept of an ending time, since they believe the meeting only ends
when all members are finished.
Slide 14
Gift exchange Gifts exchange is acceptable in Kenya. You have
to wrap the present nicely, and it should be a practical gift.
Alcohol is not accepted as a gift. Receiving and giving a gift
should be either with your right hand or both hands, you shouldnt
give or receive with your left hand only.
Slide 15
Body Language
Slide 16
Language
Slide 17
Sticking out your tongue is rude. Winking can be seen as an
offensive thing. Pointing at someone is not a rude sign unless it
has been attended with a threatening word. When Kenyans talk to
someone they stand close to each other. If the other person stood
back, it will show that you are not friendly. Some of them will
shake hands during a conversation, which shows that they are
feeling comfortable or attracted. Some shake hands to show that
they agree on what has been said. Many Kenyans in the rural areas
dont maintain regular eye contact while speaking and that doesnt
show that they are dishonest, but in urban areas if you dont have
eye contact with the person your talking to it shows that you are
not interested and not being honest. Some people use loud voice
only in disagreements, but others in rural areas greet with a loud
voice across fences and rivers. They tend to use different voice
tones between friends. Body Language
Slide 18
Kenyan Proverbs
Slide 19
Slide 20
Having a good discussion is like having riches Traveling is
learning. who eats alone, dies alone Beauty comes from within, a
beautiful heart comes from a beautiful person.
Slide 21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK7LNlkTJIY Kenya Arts &
Culture
Slide 22
Wood carvings The Kamba people are considered the best carvers,
and have long been known as skilled woodworkers. Soapstone carvings
Made of soapstone found in western Kenya, first mine the soapstone
from the hills around the village of Tabaka and then, using knives
or handmade tools, the craftsman individually carve each piece.
Masks Ancestry is very important to the African people to show
honour to their ancestors. Masks are designed and decorated with
elaborate hair and jewellery to show great wealth.
Slide 23
Music The music of Kenya is both diverse and inclusive. This
musical diversity gives Kenya a unique, and really fun, musical
landscape.
Slide 24
Dancing Dancing is an important part of Kenyan culture. Men
perform line dances, some of which involve competing to see who can
jump the highest. Dance is often an element of religious
ceremonies, such as marriage, child naming, and initiation.
Slide 25
Video
Slide 26
Famous buildings in Kenya
Slide 27
One interesting thing about this building is that there are no
air conditioners; instead they use natural air flowing from the
fins. Kenyatta International Conference Centre
Slide 28
Mahatma Gandhi Wing University of Nairobi The living Memorial
of Mahatma Gandhi houses the college of Arts, Science and Commerce.
A beautiful statue of Gandhi is found in the premises.
Slide 29
Popularly referred to as Bell Bottom House is another modern
architectural masterpiece that survived the 1998 US Embassy
bombing. Presidential home- Nairobi
Slide 30
two pairs of giant aluminium elephant tusks Moi Avenue -
Mombasa
Slide 31
Most of the farmers houses were quite basic structures made of
tree limbs and mud with thatched roofs Traditional home-Kenyan
nomads
Slide 32
References Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved Dec 18, 2014, from
Countries and their Cultures: http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-
Ma/Kenya.html Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan 11, 2015, from African
Proverbs in African Literature: THE BEST: 72+ AFRICAN WISE PROVERBS
AND INSPIRING QUOTES Kenya Arts & Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved
Dec 20, 2014, from Kenya mession: http://www.kenyamission-
un.ch/?About_Kenya:Kenya_Arts_%26amp%3B_Culture THE BEST: 72+
AFRICAN WISE PROVERBS AND INSPIRING QUOTES. (2012, Jun 22).
Retrieved jan 4, 2015, from AFRICTO?RIAL:
http://afritorial.com/the-best-72-african-wise-
proverbs/http://afritorial.com/the-best-72-african-wise-
proverbs/
Slide 33
References Cultural Information - Kenya. (2009, 10 15).
Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from Centre for Intercultural Learning:
http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic- eng.asp?iso=ke#tphp
Facts to know before you travel to Kenya. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18,
2015, from kenya travel information :
http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/kenya-travel.html Kenya:
Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18,
2015, from kwintessential:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-
etiquette/kenya.html Kenyan Etiquette Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 18,
2015, from Vayama: http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/kenya/ Lucia
Kolaja Bordean, P. S. (2012, 9 10). Business Cards in Africa.
Retrieved 1 18, 2015, from passport career:
http://www.passportcareer.com/blog/business-cards- in-africa/
Slide 34
References Anonymous. (n.d.). High-Context Culture: Definition,
Examples & Quiz. Retrieved January 19, 2015, from Education
Portal: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/high-context-
culture-definition-examples-quiz.html#lesson Anonymous. (n.d.).
Kenya Country Overview. Retrieved January 19, 2015, from
Encyclopedia of the Nations:
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Kenya.ht ml
Anonymous. (n.d.). Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette.
Retrieved January 18, 2015, from Kwintessential:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-
etiquette/kenya.html Anonymous. (n.d.). The Flag of Kenya.
Retrieved January 18, 2015, from Enchanted Learning:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/africa/kenya/flag/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/africa/kenya/flag/
