Mijikenda traditional dance
Dancing with the Ancestors: The Spirit of Mijikenda Traditional Dance For the Mijikenda people of Kenya, dance is more than just movement—it is a language, a story, and a connection to the past. Whether celebrating a wedding, mourning a loved one, or preparing for war, the Mijikenda express their emotions through powerful and graceful dances.…
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Jessica Rehema
The unique art of mijikenda
Vigango The Unique Art of the Mijikenda People The Mijikenda are a group of nine communities living along the southeastern coast of Kenya. These communities are the Kauma, Chonyi, Jibana, Giriama, Kamabe, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma, and Digo. Each group has its own customs, but they share many traditions, especially in art. Mijikenda art is deeply…
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Jessica Rehema
Reintroducing culture
Reintroducing Culture: The Mijikenda Way Culture is the foundation of every community. It defines how people live, dress, eat, and celebrate important events. Over time, many communities have abandoned their traditions in favor of modern ways. However, the Mijikenda people have started to bring back their culture, especially in weddings and dressing, but with a…
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Jessica Rehema
Celebrating Heritage: Kishutu Day in Kilifi County
The Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization’s Kilifi County Chapter is organizing an exciting cultural celebration called Kishutu Day, scheduled for November 28th, 2024, at Chumani Primary School. This vibrant event aims to honor and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Mijikenda community. Kishutu, a traditional attire worn by Mijikenda women, holds deep cultural significance. This…
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Erick Saddam
Chenda Chenda Cultural Festival 2024
Chenda Chenda Festival: A Celebration of Mijikenda Culture and Unity The coastal region of Kenya is set to come alive on September 9, 2024, as the annual Chenda Chenda Festival takes center stage in Kayafungo, Kaloleni Giriama, Kilifi County. This vibrant celebration of Mijikenda culture and heritage promises to be a day filled with music,…
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Erick Saddam
The Mijikenda Circumcision Tradition
The Mijikenda Circumcision Tradition: A Deep Dive into a Cultural Rite Circumcision among the Mijikenda community has always been a profound and celebratory tradition, reflecting deep cultural values and communal ties. This rite of passage, historically significant and richly ceremonial, highlights the intricate practices that mark a boy’s transition into manhood. A Community Celebration In…
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Erick Saddam
Coconut:The gold of Coast
The Vanishing Gold of the Coast: Among the many treasures coastal region boast, the humble coconut stands out as a symbol of both tradition and livelihood. For generations, the cultivation and harvesting of coconuts have been integral to the local economy, weaving a story of sustenance and resilience. However, recent times have witnessed a troubling…
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Jessica Rehema
History of The Giriama people
History of The Giriama people Giriama are part of Mijikenda people whose oral history relates that the ancestors of the Mijikenda, who were then one people, lived in a place called Singwaya, believed to be north of Tana River and south ofJuba River in Somalia. However due to conflicts with other communities there they…
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Erick Saddam
Giriama Traditional Wedding
Kuhaswa – Traditional Giriama wedding The parents of the bridegroom look for the bride. They go to the bride’s home and the bridegroom’s father introduces himself and then says ”Fudzire mala Mudzungu wa utsunguni”. We have come to look for the cucumber, which is painful. The father of the bride answers ”nauhambale” let the painful…
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Erick Saddam
The ‘mad’ Kenyan woman who rattled the British
Mekatilili wa Menza Mekatilili wa Menza may have been in the freedom struggle scene for a short time, but her contribution in raising the African consciousness among the Giriama people of the Coastal Kenya was immense.Mekatilili was one of the first women in Kenya to rise up against the British in 1913. Her bravery, oratorical…
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