As the year gathers pace, there are annual events that enthusiasts are always looking forward to. Whether aimed at promoting heritage and culture, music or crafts, it has never been a dull moment, writes
Jasmine Wambui Josiah
Lamu Cultural Festival
The purpose of this festival is to promote the Swahili heritage and preserve the island’s local culture. Several races and competitions are staged during the three-day long festival in late November. These events are designed to encourage local skills or practices that are central to Lamu life. These include traditional Swahili poetry, henna painting, dhow sailing race and Bao competition, probably the oldest known game in human history, are among these activities. The highlight is the donkey race, which competitors spend the entire year honing their riding skills so as to achieve that great title. It is also a good time to enjoy the island’s cuisine and music. This year will be the 22nd edition of the festival since its inception.
Mombasa Carnival
The Mombasa Carnival also held annually in the month of November is a lively festival that brings the streets of Mombasa to life with parades, music, dance performances, floats, and traditional costumes. Various ethnic groups participate in the carnival, showcasing their diverse cultural traditions through music, dance, arts, and crafts. It provides an excellent chance for travellers to immerse themselves in the local tribal culture. The street party organised by the Ministry of Tourism is usually held along Moi Avenue in Mombasa County.
Maralal International Camel Derby
Maralal International Camel Derby is mainly a sports event featuring camel races. It is held in Maralal town in Samburu County, about 70 kilometres from Samburu National Reserve. Apart from the camel races, there are also vibrant cultural activities, such as dance performances and displays of local arts and crafts.
If you plan to visit Samburu National Reserve in August, you may consider going to experience this festival. It is a great chance to immerse yourself in the local Samburu culture, observing the people and their lifestyle. Last year, the festival returned after a three-year hiatus. The one of a kind festival, which brings together people from far and wide, is an annual tourism and peace cultural event hosted at Yare Camel Camp.
Maasai Cultural Festival
The Maasai Cultural Festival happens annually during the mid-year coinciding with the annual wildebeest migration. The four-day festival brings together 12,000 members from 18 Maa-speaking communities from Kenya and Tanzania. Visitors have the opportunity to witness traditional dances, fashion, music performances, and even participate in workshops to learn about their customs and way of life.
This festival is a true celebration of the Maasai culture and offers a unique glimpse into their traditions and beliefs. The event is also meant for social integration and cohesiveness among the different races and ethnic Maa communities living in East Africa. In addition to these festivals, there are also cultural performances, storytelling sessions, and art exhibitions that provide further insight into the Maasai culture. These events offer a unique opportunity for tourists to engage with the community, learn from their traditions, and celebrate the cultural richness of Masai Mara.
Lake Turkana Cultural Festival
The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is a three-day Cultural Festival that incorporates cultural music, traditional dances, art as well as fun and exciting competitions and games. The festival usually takes place at Loiyangalani on the southeastern Coast of Lake Turkana in June each year and is an excellent way for tourists to gain insight into Kenya’s culture and lifestyle.
The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival first took place in 2008 to boost tourism and turn the spotlight towards this neglected part of Northern Kenya. The Festival is an open-air event lasting for three days. Participants, comprising men and women from 14 diverse Northern Kenya tribes such as El Molo, Gabbra, Samburu, Rendile, Dasannach, Watta and various Turkana tribes, adorn themselves in traditional attire. They showcase traditional dances and other forms of art. The festival is accompanied by live music, featuring the distinctive sounds of their traditional music instruments that fill the air with their vibrant melodies.
Kakamega Bullfight
For several decades the Luhya community of Kakamega county have held an annual bull fighting competition attracting thousands of spectators from all walks of life. Here two bulls fight against each other in a spirited fight that lasts 5 to 30 minutes and are adequately fed and prepared for the occasion. The festival usually held in Ikolomani during the month of October sees owners of the winning bull given various monetary awards and a prestigious social status that is maintained all year round. The event also includes cock fighting and the traditional Isikuti dance among other cultural activities. This event is held to showcase and preserve the Luhya culture.
Rusinga Cultural Festival
The Rusinga Cultural Festival is held annually on the last Thursday and Friday before Christmas at Rusinga Island. This event is hosted by the Abasuba community who are situated on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria. According to the United Nations the Abasuba have been clustered under the indigenous communities in Kenya that are currently on the verge of facing extinction.
This festival is hence held each year to help preserve their culture, educate people on who they are and to maintain peace and stability. Highlights of the festival include the music and dance of the Abasuba, traditional attire, jewellery, pottery and wood carvings. Visitors also sample a variety of foods, including kuon anang’ which is generally ugali made with ghee. This kuon anang’ is then served with any of the varieties of fish that are found in Lake Victoria. Sports activities include tag-of-war, wrestling and boat races. Other activities include story telling of the folklore of the Abasuba community.
Rift Valley Music Festival
The Rift Valley Festival is one of East Africa’s largest annual three-day music festival. This festival is held at the Fisherman’s Camp along the edge of Lake Naivasha. Established in 2010, the festival has become a yearly event held in late August.
It draws a diverse array of artists primarily from Kenya and the rest of East Africa, occasionally featuring international bands and artists. The event offers accommodation options such as on-site camping for proximity to the festivities or staying in the vicinity. The festival encompasses not only music, but also offers food and drink stalls, a craft market and children’s activities.
Luo Festival
The one-day cultural event is held annually on the 26th of December in Teso North, Busia county. It combines traditional and modern art performances and features well-known musicians of Luo in Kenya.
The festival is for the purpose of celebrating the rich heritage of the Iteso people. It features Iteso cultural dances, music, literature, traditional food and beer. The event is hosted by the Kakapel Cultural Centre popularly known for rock art conservation. The place is home to 4,000-year-old ancient rock art paintings. The event is held to preserve culture and to ignite economic prosperity.
Beneath the Boababs Festival
This cultural festival is which is formerly known as the Kilifi New Year’s Festival is held annualy from December 30 to January 2 in Kilifi. The festival has been held for the past nine years for African art and music lovers with the aim of upholding sustainability and cultural and natural diversity themes. People come together to camp at the Takaungu Creek of the Indian Ocean. This is a 20-acre piece of land surrounded by bamboo, old baobab trees and wild lemon orchids.
