Social Conventions
Kenyan people are known for being extremely polite and hospitable. It is common to hear “Jambo!” or “Hakuna matata” which mean “Hello” and “No worries” respectively in Swahili. Hand shaking is the most common form of greeting. It is considered disrespect to rush or skip this. t. It is courteous to ask before taking pictures, and in some remote areas, a small token or payment for the photo is sometimes expected simply as a form of polite appreciation.
Language
Swahili (or Kiswahili) Kenya’s national language, however, English is taught in all schools and is the official language of business, government, and education. There are over forty ethnic communities in Kenya . They speak about eight different languages. Kenyans speak Swahili as their second language after mother tongue.
Religion
The majority of the population in Kenya are Christians, however, Hinduism, Sikhism, and indigenous religions are also represented.
Food
Communities within Kenya have different menus that reflect the different regions and livelihoods. Despite this, some dishes made in Kenya reflect Indian, Arab and European influences. Swahili dishes tend to use a combination of ginger, chilly, coconut, cream, and crushed tamarind seeds. The people of Kenya like to use locally sourced ingredients and tend to barbecue meat, especially beef and goat. Some clients prefer including their preferred food types in the inquiry.
Popular dishes include:
Ugali: This dish is made up of ground maize flour and water that is boiled in water until it gets into a dough-like . Ugali is usually eaten with stew made with vegetables or meat. Ugali can also be waten with milk. This is one of Kenya’s staple food
Githeri: This dish is a mixture of boiled maize and beans. It is one of the popular dish in the Central Province among the Kikuyu community.
Kachumbari: This consists of a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers. An uncooked salad dish, it is usually paired with Nyama Choma (roasted meat – usually beef).
Drinks
Coffee and tea in Kenya is known as the country’s main export earner. They are also one of the major drink every household uses for breakfast or after meals. Tropical fruits like mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, and pawpaw etc. are available. Their juices are incredibly popular throughout the country. Coca-Cola is the nation’s most popular soda company and widely available. Tusker and White Cap are popular beers with premium and export versions available.
Here in Kenya, it is advisable to avoid tap water. Bottled water is best and is relatively inexpensive.
