Kenya | Kenya

Kenya is located approximately on the map as 2N, 38E. (Latitude, Longitude.) Kenya became independent in 1963, and only had three presidents since. The current population is estimated as 30, 339,770. The official language is Swahili.

There were different types of people who lived in Africa. The Gikuyu were people who formed stable farming communities in the south. The Luo people also farmed. The Massai people led nomadic lives and herding cattle.

In 1895, Britain began building a railroad extending from the city of Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the west. The railroad carried British troops and settlers speeding up the conquest of the territory. By 1911, the British took full control of Kenya and many other countries in Africa. They forced Africans to live and work on plantations as slaves or tenant farmers. Massai were forced to live around a dry Rift Valley. Colonial authorities began dividing the country into two districts and restricted the freedom of Africans to cross district borders. The borders separated members of related ethnic groups and also disrupted trade networks.

Less than one-fifth of the nation's land is suitable for farming. Farm products make up two-thirds of the nation's exports. Kenya also has a well-developed dairy industry that produces yogurt, cheese, and many other milk products. Mombasa, Kenya is the center of the international trade. It is a major port for handling goods from other African countries.

The gross domestic product per capita in the United States is $1,600. Three quarters of Kenyans work in agriculture, which produces about one third of the country's gross domestic product. (GDP) Kenya is a leading producer of tea and coffee. Other crops consist of sugarcanes, flowers, vegetables, fruit, and sisal-a type of fiber used to make ropes. Manufacturing industries in Kenya produce a wide range of products, such as textiles, clothing, vehicles, tires, chemicals, steel, minerals, and books. Manufacturing makes up one fifth of Kenya's gross domestic product. United States and Britain control half of the manufacturing businesses.

The governing body for Kenya is 200 member National Assembly (legislative body), 188 elected, and 12 appointed by president.

The burial customs for people in Kenya depend on the religion and tradition. Hindus and Sikhs are cremated. Muslims are buried. This has to take place forty-eight hours after death. Most Africans are buried in their own lands.

One of the most important traditions among Kenyan men is circumcision. Not all ethnic groups do this, but a group that does is the Luo group. When a young man in a village is ready to be recognized as an adult, they go through a rite of passage. After the circumcision, the man has a special relationship with his group called the "age group."

Each school in Kenya has a uniform. They have the girls wear a blouse and a skirt or a dress. And for the boys, they are required to wear pants and a shirt. All uniforms represent their school. Education is free and mandatory for ages 6-14. But uniforms, and books are expensive. In spite of all the money problems, the government managed to make progress in education. Their literacy rate is 78%.

Kenya's climate and long growing season provide a variety of vegetables and fruits. Children in Kenya grow up eating bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, and many other fruits. Most Kenyans do not eat canned food or frozen food. The food they eat are prepared fresh daily.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia:

"Kenya." Africa: An Encyclopedia for Students.

Copyrighted 2002 (no edition)

Books:

Mansure, Lynne and Mc Nair, Sylvia. Enchantment of the World: Kenya.

Canada: Children's Press 2001

Internet:

www.Kenyaweb.com/history

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