KENYA PRESENTATION

Divyana Mirpuri

kenya

Cultural Sensitivity Presentation

Culture

Religion - About 70% of Kenyans are Christian (38% Protestant and 28% Catholic). About 25% are followers of an indigenous religion. 6% are Muslim. Throughout the Asian community are Hindus, Sikhs, Persis, and Bahais. Government - Kenya is a republic with three government branches. An executive headed by a directly elected president. A bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly. And a judiciary. Language - Their main language is Swahili, but English is still prominent because of the need for communication and business.

Customs

• All contact with Kenyan people begins with a greeting.
• As soon as you enter the store, shake hands and have a polite chat with the owner.
• Handshakes at meetings and departures are common among all men present.
• Women shake hands, but with men only in more severe situations.
• It is considered inappropriate to point the index finger at someone.
• It is polite to use all the fingers of the hand when pointing at people or objects. In Kenyan culture, it is rude to pass something with your left hand.
• You must use your right hand or both hands.

Traditions

• Kenyans flood the coast during major holdiays
• Security checks in Kenya have become a tradition.
• Especially with the regular terrorism threats.
• Polygamy is legal in Kenya

• Men can marry multiple wives
• “Kaa chonjo” means always be alert.
• Being always alert in Kenya has become a way of life.
• Mourning the dead is an extravagant ceremony among the Luo people of Kenya.
• The extravagance of a mourning ceremony will depend on many factors including the gender of the deceased, the age, marital and social status, the circumstance of their death, and even the area they come from.

stereotypes

• A popular stereotype people have about Kenya is that they are all runners.
• Kenyans collectively are an ambitious lot and we are driven towards our full potential which is mistaken for a negative self-centered nature.

• The most widespread stereotype is that Kenya is a corrupt country.

• All Kenyans are friendly.

leader

Jomo Kenyatta Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician who ruled Kenya as prime minister from 1963 to 1964 and was its first president from 1964 until his death in 1978. He rejected the unification of the British colonies of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. In 1945 he helped organize the Sixth Pan-African Congress, with the help of Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah. In 1953, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for leading the Mau Mau Rebellion, but he denied the charges.

Prominant Kenyan business

Extreme Clean Carwash - Lavington Extreme Clean Carwash is a Kenyan staple company that provides many services such as interior vaccum, tyre shine, dashboard polish, windshield water enhancement, and more. In Kenya, Carwashes are the most successful business, but Extreme is the best of the best.

Cultural Sensitivity

This project has shown and taughtme a lot about Kenya and its culture. Before doing this assignment, I knew little about Kenya, but since my dad is Moroccan I knew some aspects of their language and culture. This project taught me how to be respectful and knowledgeable when interacting with Kenyans. It is important to educate ourselves about cultures and their customs to lessen the ethnocentrism and prejudice apparent when meeting people of other cultures.

thanks