Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
Kenya is a country of deeply rooted traditions and a vibrant cultural crossroads. Some of the oldest artifacts of human communities have been discovered in Kenya, making the East African country truly a cradle of humanity.
Today, it is a dynamic nation that links its prehistoric past to new cultural expressions in a land of great environmental contrasts. Kenya's diverse landscapes stretch from snow-capped mountains to the Great Rift Valley, from deserts to lakes, vast savannahs, lush forests, and a sparkling coastare reflected in the rich diversity of the Kenyan people and their traditions.
Occurring just after the fiftieth anniversary of Kenya's independence from the British Empire, the Kenya: Mambo Poa program presented the ways in which the people of Kenya are balancing protection of their valued cultural and natural heritage with the challenges and opportunities for change in the twenty-first century.
Festival visitors interacted with exemplary craftspeople who work with everything from clay to soapstone to recycled materials, learned about important fossil discoveries by taking part in a model dig site from the Great Rift Valley, ran with Kenya's Olympic athletes, danced to both traditional and contemporary music from many regions of the country, discovered how Kenyans live among and work with some of the most magnificent wildlife on the continent, and experienced Kenyan life in the United States.
All of this took place in venues and spaces that reflect the creative and dynamic experiences of the Kenyan people, whether they live in urban or rural, coastal or inland environments.
Preston Scott was Program Curator and Arlene Reiniger was Program Coordinator; Elizabeth Ouma was Kenya Project Manager.
The program was produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with the Government of Kenya. Additional support was provided by the U.S. Agency for lnternational Development, the HENRY Foundation, the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, Deborah Santana, and the Consortium for World Cultures of the Smithsonian lnstitution.
Presenters, Research, and Technical Committee:
Nicholas Odhiambo Abonyo, Patrick Abungu, Aghan Odero Agan, Patrick Ondiek Agengo, David Amunga, Silas Amunga, Tume Tari Arero, Jane Atudo, Muhammed Wako Dase, Nuria Golo, Emily Gumba, Emma lrungu, Jillo Guyo Jillo, Qabale Jirma, Caroline Kariuki, Jimbi Katana, Joseph Kibunja, Qabale Jirma Kinato, Eric Kotonya, Charlotte Sara Kwena, Nyavanga Lugalia, Khisa Mbotela, Callistus Musiomi, Alex Muigai Njuguna, Martha Njunguna, Charles Nziivo, Thomas Wasonga Ogola, Joseph O. Oindi, Wilfred N. Okibegwa, Samson M. Ong'esa, Denis Opudo, Dorothy Auma Otieno, Malakì A. Sam, Dokatu H. Wako, Susan Wanjaria
Participants:
Coast
Ali Abdalla Ali, 1973-, dhow carpenter, Lamu, Kenya
Ali Bakari Bwana Madi, 1967-, dhow carpenter, Lamu, Kenya
Ahmed Yusuf Suleiman, 1979-, plaster worker, Lamu, Kenya
Salim Mohamed Atwaa, turtle conservationist
Pastoral
Teresia Mbula Kimei, basket weaver, Machakos, Kenya
Victoria Munini Mutua, basket weaver, Machakos, Kenya
Lucy Agutu Okundu, 1967-, basket weaver, Kisumu, Kenya
Apollo Omondi Omware, 1977-, basket weaver, Kisumu, Kenya
Susana Chemakwany Daniel, bead worker, Nairobi, Kenya
Susan Naserian Nketoria, 1977-, bead worker, Ngong Hills, Kenya
Rahab Wjuhi Kinyanjui, 1975-, human origins researcher, Nairobi, Kenya
Fredrick Kyalo Manthi, 1967-, human origins researcher, Nairobi, Kenya
Joshua Nzioki Mativo, 1972-, human origins researcher
Musyoka Kilonzi Mwangangi, 1962-, human origins researcher
Living and Working with Wildlife -- Living and Working with WildlifeMunira Kavosa Anyonge, 1957-, The Nature Conservancy, Nairobi, KenyaCelina Nabalayo Butali, 1978-, Northern Rangelands Trust, Isiolo, KenyaJosephat Bwire, 1983-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaOmar Godana Dida, 1956-, Nasuulu Conservancy, Isiolo, KenyaJohn Lopulo Ekai, 1991-, Nakuprat-Gotu Conservancy, Nairobi, KenyaJosephine Scopio Ekiru, 1984-, Nakurpat Wildlife Conservancy, Isiolo, KenyaMwanamisi Ghofwa Haodo, Kenya Wildlife ServiceTom Jonathan Lalampaa, 1979-, Northern Rangelands Trust, Isiolo, KenyaBeatrice Namunyak Lempaira, 1984-, Naibunga Wildlife Conservancy, Nanyuki, KenyaRichard Austine Lokorukou, 1984-, Namunyak Conservancy, Wamba, KenyaJackson Kibui Marubu, 1981-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaCatherine Mwihaki Wateri, 1976-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaPhilemon Kimutai Ngengo, 1982-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaIbrahim Abdi Ogle, 1957-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaSolomon Kipkemoi Tanui, 1987-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaEdwin Wanjala Wanyonyi, 1975-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
Henry Wanyoike, 1974-, marathon runner, Nairobi, Kenya
Joseph Kibunja, marathon runner
Mwanajuma Malika Badiri, 1983-, Pokomo hut builder, Tana River, Kenya
Salma Ndoge Maro, 1973-, Pokomo hut builder, Mombasa, Kenya
Dina Anyango Adipo, potter, Homabay, Kenya
Grace Akinyi Jakoyo, 1955-, potter, Homabay, Kenya
Elkana Omweri Ong'esa, 1944-, soapstone carver, Nairobi, Kenya
Mark Obara Zebedee, 1957-, soapstone carver, Kisi, Kenya
Meshack Ndunda Kivuva, 1948-, wood carver, Nairobi, Kenya
Mutunga Japheth Munya, 1960-, wood carver, Nairobi, Kenya
Urban
Jane Wanjiru Maina, 1973-, hair braider, Nairobi, Kenya
Farida Rashid Mohamed, 1962-, henna painter, Mombasa, Kenya
Fatuma Simba Bakediye, henna painter, Mombasa, Kenya
Isaac Maina Kibe, 1974-, recycling artist, muralist, Nairobi, Kenya
Patrick Thuita Kibe, 1987-, recycling artist, muralist, Nairobi, Kenya
Francis Mutua Muvua, recycling artist, carver
Jonathan Lenato, 1982-, recycling artist, carver
Hellen Alumbe Namai, 1975-, storyteller, Nairobi, Kenya
Newton Zadock Kweya, 1985-, storyteller, Nairobi, Kenya
Mohamed Hussein Abdulkader Kaderdina, 1964-, textile worker, Mombasa, Kenya
Abdulhamid Muneeb Kaderdina, 1975-, textile worker, Mombasa, Kenya
Ahmed Mohamed Nongodha, 1955-, textile worker, Lamu, Kenya
Cooks
Fatma Ali Mohamed Busaidy, 1964-, cook, Lamu, Kenya
Alice Awuor Oduor, 1975-, cook, Nairobi, Kenya
Emily Ondese Oduor, 1967-, cook, Nairobi, Kenya
Amina Harith Swaleh, 1966-, cook, Mombasa, Kenya
Dancers
Ramogi Dancers from Homa Bay County -- Ramogi Dancers from Homa Bay CountyPaul Orwa Apiyo, 1960-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaDaniel Akumu Mandha, 1980-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaAlfred Anyango Migure, 1945-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJames Ojuok Ochieng', 1954-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaKennedy Odhiambo Olela, 1973-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJohn Ooyi Ooyi, 1962-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJoseph Aludo Owaka, 1947-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJohn Owuor Oyugi, 1959-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaStanbradox Odhiambo Oyugi, 1992-, dancer, Nyangweso, Kenya
Musicians
Gargar -- GargarLuli Bashir Muge Abdi, 1973-, vocals, Lamu, KenyaAmina Bashir Elmoge, 1984-, vocals, Garissa, KenyaAnab Gure Ibrahim, 1972-, vocals, Garissa, Kenya
Kenge Kenge -- Kenge KengeTobias Onyango Agola, 1977-, drums, lead vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBoaz Otieno Aketch, 1987-, orutu fiddle, oporo horn, Nairobi, KenyaJoseph Ojunga Kungu, 1974-, horn, Kisumu, KenyaGeorge Achieng' Odero, 1975-, orutu fiddle, Nairobi, Kenya
Lelele Afrika -- Lelele AfrikaMwanaisha Abdalla Mohamed (Nyota Ndogo), 1981-, vocals, Mombasa, KenyaMbarak Ali Haji Msuo, 1958-, harmonium, Mombasa, KenyaMohammed Adio Shigo, 1946-, taishokoto zither, Mombasa, Kenya
Featured Artists -- Featured ArtistsCharles Odero Ademson (Makadem), 1972-, guitar, kalimba, nyatiti, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaPeter Akwabi Okutoi, 1946-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaPoloycarp Onyango Awino (Winyo), 1982-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaKadir Roba Duba (Kadir Kotola), 1984-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBosco Mutua Mulwa, guitar, vocalsDaniel Kamau (DK) Mwai, vocals, Thika, KenyaSamba Mapangala, vocalsMohamed Said Ngana (Bado), 1980, vocals, Watamu, KenyaJohn Amutabi Nzenze, 1938-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBeatrice Achieng' Odhiambo (Iddi Achieng'), 1975-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaMusa Odhiambo Omondi (Olith Ratego), 1974-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaRonald Ontiri Onchuru (Ontiri Bikundo), 1976-, obokano, vocals, Kisii, KenyaJob Ouko Seda (Ayub Ogada), 1956-, nyatiti, Nairobi, KenyaSusan Adhiambo Owiyo (Suzanna Owiyo), 1974-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaEric James Wainaina Mwaniki, 1973-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaJob Ouko Seda, musician, actorCarol Lynn Atemi Oyungu, singerWalter Kivure Mwangombe, keyboards
Session Musicians, Band 1 -- Session Musicians, Band 1Linda Wangechi Muthama, 1983-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaMarvin Maveke Mutisya (Marvo), 1985-, drums, Nairobi, KenyaIsaac Gem Ojwang (Izzo Gem), 1974-, bass, Nairobi, KenyaDavid Lawrence Otieno, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaJulius Mathew Wakake Otieno, 1975-, percussion, Nairobi, Kenya
Session Musicians, Band 2 -- Session Musicians, Band 2Thobias Imani Koech, 1982-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaShadrack Muithya Makau (Shaddy), 1981-, keyboards, Nairobi, KenyaJackline Kasiva Mutua, 1988-, percussion, Nairobi, KenyaLydia Mwango Ogoti Onchangu, 1975-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaCharles Otieno Owino (Chao), bass, Nairobi, KenyaMathew Omondi Rabala (Matayo), drums, Nairobi, Kenya
Session Musicians, Band 3 -- Session Musicians, Band 3Kombo Chokwe Burns, 1973-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaIddi Aziz Kunya, 1980-, bass, Nairobi, KenyaRobert Christopher Oyoo (Chris Adwar), 1979-, keyboards, Nairobi, KenyaHenry Ndenge Saha, 1975-, drums, Nairobi, KenyaAllan Gituthu Wanjohi, 1990-, bass, Nairobi, Kenya
Support -- SupportNicholas Odhiambo Abonyo, 1988-, presenter, technical support, Nairobi, KenyaPatrick Ondiek Agengo, 1982-, presenter, technical support, Nairobi, KenyaWalter Mon'gare (Nyambane), liaison, Nairobi, KenyaStephen Kubutia Murembe (Steve 64), 1977-, roadie, technical manager, Nairobi, KenyaWilliam Ogutu Osusa (Tabu Osusa), 1954-, band, ensemble manager, Nairobi, Kenya
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Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.