Kenya is a country located in East Africa and is famous for its diverse landscape, which includes rolling hills, the Great Rift Valley, and tropical beaches. It boasts a variety of wildlife that can be experienced in the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park, as well as large lakes offering beach visits and watersports. Its population is made up of over 42 different ethnicities and speaks more than 68 languages. Culturally, music plays a significant role in society and events such as weddings often feature traditional Kenyan sounds. From bustling cities such as Nairobi to untouched nature reserves there’s something for everyone when planning a trip to Kenya.

 

Books

159336

1

3.9/5

Weep Not, Child

by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

91I8+a-oP6L

2

3.8/5

One Day I'll Write About This Place

by Binyavanga Wainaina

71QbkZOkE9L (1)

3

3.8/5

Three Days on the Cross

by Wahome Mutahi

61zClQH6aRL._AC_UL600_SR600,600_

4

4.2/5

The River and the Source

by Margaret A. Ogola

546x840

5

4.3/5

Unbowed

by Wangari Maathai

Weep Not, Child is a novel by Ngugi wa Thiong’o published in 1964. Set during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, the book tells the story of a young boy’s struggle for education and personal growth amidst political turmoil and racial conflict in colonial Kenya.

One Day I’ll Write About This Place is a memoir by Binyavanga Wainaina published in 2011. The book is a vivid and humorous portrayal of growing up in Kenya during the 70s and 80s, providing insight into the challenges of coming of age in a rapidly changing country.

Three Days on the Cross is a novel by Ngugi wa Thiong’o published in 1971. The book explores the themes of oppression and liberation through the story of a young man named Joseph who is wrongly accused of a crime and forced to endure the agony of crucifixion.

The River and the Source is a novel by Margaret A. Ogola published in 1994. The book tells the story of four generations of women in a Kenyan family and their experiences with love, marriage, childbirth, and education, as they navigate the changing social and political landscape of Kenya.

Unbowed is a memoir by Wangari Maathai published in 2006. The book chronicles Maathai’s remarkable journey from rural Kenya to becoming the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, detailing her struggles as an environmental activist and political dissident in post-colonial Kenya.

Movies

MV5BMjI5NTQyMTE2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDMzNjExOA@@._V1_

1

3.7/5

Nairobi Half Life

MV5BMGFiZTNiZjEtN2E4ZS00MWQyLWJmZDYtMTRmZTAwM2ExNDZlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTkyMjQwNw@@._V1_

2

3.4/5

Rafiki

MV5BYzFiNzE4ZWMtOTk5ZC00ZGExLThjZGMtMTdiM2IyM2VjNjU4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTEyMTM0MTE@._V1_

3

3.7/5

Softie

MV5BZTg5M2RlMTUtNDg5Yi00ZWY0LWE1ZjAtYTg0YzU1YTcyMWM2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzY4MTYxMTc@._V1_

4

2.5/5

Disconnect

MV5BZjk2NjdlMWUtYTMwYS00Njc0LWE4OTAtYzRlMmM3ZTJkYjNiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTIxODI2NzU1._V1_

5

3.7/5

Uradi

Nairobi Half Life is a Kenyan drama film released in 2012.

The movie tells the story of a young actor who moves from a rural area to Nairobi to pursue his dreams. However, he soon finds himself involved in a dangerous world of crime and deception.

Rafiki is a 2018 Kenyan drama film that follows the romantic relationship between two young women in a society where homosexuality is illegal and highly stigmatized.

Softie is a 2020 Kenyan documentary that chronicles the political journey of a young idealistic activist who decides to run for office in Kenya’s highly contested 2017 elections.

Disconnect is a 2018 Kenyan short film that explores the emotional toll of technology addiction and social media obsession in modern society.

Uradi is a 2019 Kenyan crime thriller film that centers on a seasoned detective who investigates a series of gruesome murders in a small village while dealing with personal demons from his past.

Music

Jambo, and welcome to the exciting and vibrant world of Kenyan music! 

This diverse and energetic musical landscape is a true reflection of Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, blending traditional styles with contemporary beats to create a unique sound that echoes through the African continent. 

From the pulsating rhythms of Benga and Afro-fusion to the uplifting strains of gospel and contemporary pop, you’ll find something to get your groove on while discovering the different ethnic influences and regional variations that make Kenyan music so infectious. 

You’ll be enticed by the beats of the Luo people’s nyatiti lyre, enchanted by the strings of the Kikuyu people’s njoroge, and inspired by the powerful vocal harmonies that characterize the Maasai’s traditional music. 

So jump in and explore the kaleidoscope of sonic colors that make Kenyan music an unforgettable musical adventure!

Articles

Cultural Reads
cultural reads newsletter

Sign up for books, movies & music tips from all around the world!