Introduction to KENYA
Music:
Kenya has a very diverse background due to its history and closeness in proximity to many different cultures. Invaders and travelers from the Arab and European worlds were drawn to Africa due to its abundance in diamonds and gold. Therefore, Kenya has a eclectic background of music, including Arabic, traditional tribal, and some European.
Traditional:
The traditional African music was polyrythimic, meaning it had layers of different rhythms. Many different instruments were used including, membraphones, wicker rattles and reed pipes. Many times, people would become another instrument either humming, singing, or clapping their hands. Since The language spoken (swahili) is tonal, every word has a pitch and an included meaning stamped on the phrase. The would (and some nomadic tribes still do) sing for various rites of passages and celebrations. Some of these events would have stages of songs before the person could pass through. For example, circumcision is considered a religious and civic rite. Before a boy can be circumcised, he and the villagers must perform up to nine musical stages before he can be considered a worthy candidate. Although in the western circumcision is only related to boys, girls in Kenya also are circumcised. Below is an example of a dance performed to celebrate a girls circumcision:
Modern Music:
As I stated before, Kenyans have a vast eclectic mix of music due to the fusion of cultures from north, and east. Therefore the modern music in this country ranges from jazz to rap, and from Arabic to rock. The music combines many different instruments from their heritages, and although they may add sounds like the Ud, guitar, and accordion, the rhythmic pattern still is unmistakably traditional. They still use the polyrhythmic sound with drums and membraphones that makes you want to dance. For example, here is an artist who combines many sounds to make modern kenyan music. The greatest thing about Kenya is the way the musicians struggle to get their music out and send a message to the public. It is not easy for a musician to get their Cds or recordings out on the market due to a lack in music stores. They mostly sell their albums in grocery stores or small shops. What a change from how easy it is to get your recordings out in the market in the U.S! This fact makes me appreciate African music even more!
More Kenyan music information can be found in my previous blog entry : http://sbela.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/internet-reliability/
Religion and mores/values”
Religion:
The religion in Kenya reflects the influence of the eastern and northern cultures. There are two main religions: Islam and Christianity. Islam came into Kenya from middle easterners traveling to find diamonds and other treasures. The Islamic religion has attracted many tribes such as the Sunni and the Shi’ites. Christianity was originally brought over by the Portuguese, but was revived by missionaries in the 19th century. Christianity is the dominant over the two religions, drawing over 2/3 of kenyans into their churches. Although rare, some traditional religion still survive today. For example, the Kikuyu tribe are monotheists, who believed in sacrifice, and vomiting of sins. Kikuyu tribe member: 
Mores/values:
In order to be considered a society a culture must have a moral or value system. Indeed, Kenya does have such a system, challenging the ignorant thinking of many westerns have about the country and their daily lives. In the traditional world the held many acts sacred like, marriage, life, morality, and respect for peoples property. If you were to break one of the moral standards harsh punishment was laid upon you, not much different than the standards of the Christians, Muslims, or Asians. In Modern times, many tribes still hold true to the moral standards listed above, while many have adopted a more ‘western’ way of thinking. This thinking includes love for all and tolerance against other people, no matter how they act.
Languages
Over sixty-five percent of Kenyans speak English, many other speak languages such as Swahili (also known as Kiswahili). Below is a more detailed language map that describes all the different languages spoken:
Food
To be totally honest, this has to be my favorite topic. If it is edible (and sometimes even if it isnt) I will eat it. I enjoy all major cuisines ranging from Brazilian to Japanese. Here are some tasty treats I found abundantly made throughout Kenya. Kenyan food ingredients are very low cost, using vegetation from their lands including: kale, spinach, beans, oranges, pears, rice, millet flour, avacados (yum), and potatoes. Goat meat and beef are also common. A meal that sound very delicious is Wali (rice boiled in cocunut milk), sukuma wiki, (collards), chapati (some uneven bread that is kinda fried) and Nyama Choma (which is goat or beef). – my mouth is watering right now- look below- 
Geography
Kenya is nestled in between Somalia, Uganda, and the Indian ocean. The Great Rift Valley takes up much of kenya, where many lakes run along, like lake Turkana in the north. Kenya is also home to lake Victoria, 
which is the worlds second-largest freshwater lake. Kenya is known for its vast geography due to the coastlines, flatland, and mountains.
Economics
After gaining Independence in 1963, Kenya grew economically through agricultural production, and industrial investment. In the years 1990-1993 Kenya faced the worst economic downfall in her history since independence. Agricultural production shrank and inflation went up 100 percent! Luckily, Kenya slowly started to reform even signing a million dollar poverty reduction suit. Even in the tough economy today, Kenya is doing fairly well. The country is still struggling with poverty and trying to come up with ways to delete it.
Urban Settings
Urban:
Kenya’s urban setting is rapidly growing, expecting the increase of 4-5 percent annually. This causes a major downfall since many of these urban settings already do not have enough food and water for the inhabitants in them. This causes slum living conditions and the spread of diseases through contaminated water.
Conclusion
I hope this gave you a little taste to what the country of Kenya is like! I enjoyed finding all the information and facts. P.S- I know you asked me to put enabled links in here, but I cannot get them to work no matter what I try. any suggestions?
Resources:
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2000/5/00.05.07.x.html
http://www.afromix.org/html/musique/pays/kenya/index.en.html
http://www.masai-mara.com/mmmaa.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/315078/Kenya/259732/Religion
http://africa.peacelink.org/wajibu/articles/art_4484.html
http://www.bluegecko.org/kenya/tribes/kikuyu/beliefs.htm
http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/kenya-food.html
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=ke
http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/kenya-food.html
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/kenya/kengeog.htm
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/economy.asp?countryID=101®ionID=5
http://www.platformpopdev.be/pdf/preskyobutungi250208.pdf
