Celebrating our shared past, present, and future
Dating back centuries, the stories and traditions of the peoples of Kenya are some of the most fascinating in the world. They have enriched the country through social, economic, political and cultural activities, each with their own unique stories. Today, 44 communities are officially recognized by the government, and are classified into three linguistic groups: the Bantu, the Nilotic and the Cushitic speakers. The National Museums of Kenya holds objects telling the stories of the communities, which represent the country's ethnic diversity and vibrant cultures. Many of the cultural practices are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. This exhibit celebrates the country’s rich heritage through the Swahili community.
A look into the history and culture of the Swahili community
The Swahili originated from the intermarriage of Arabs with the coastal Bantu communities. The Swahili live in urban centers along the East African Coast.
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Migration and settlement
The Swahili were initially called Wangozi. They are believed to have migrated from Shungwaya to the coast, where they intermarried with the Arabs.
The Swahili are found along the east African coast, with some living in Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu and Kilifi counties. They speak Swahili (Kiswahili).
The origin of the Kiswahili language
The Swahili speak Kiswahili, which is Kenya's national language and has gained international appeal. It is studied all over the world and is spoken by various communities inhabiting the African Great Lakes region. Kiswahili has borrowed words from Arabic, Portuguese, English and other languages.
Trading and farming for a living
The Swahili were an urban, maritime community, who interacted with foreigners from various parts of the world during the extensive Indian Ocean trade. They became middlemen and used dhows to move goods from various parts of the African coast, to the middle East and India. Their economy relied on trade, agriculture and fishing. Before the introduction of numismatic currency, payment for goods and services was done in cowrie shells. Items of trade were ivory, timber and slaves among others. Swahili obtained spices and clothes from the Arabs. Apart from trade, the Swahili were renowned fishermen and kept small herds of livestock. They also grew spices, coconut palms and fruit trees like mangoes.
KangaNational Museums of Kenya
Kangas
A kanga, also known as a leso, is a traditional Swahili cloth. It is a cotton cloth which has Swahili sayings printed on it. In this kanga, the saying 'Ya kale hayapo, zingatia uliyonayo' means 'the past isn't there, reflect on what you have'.
Printing Block (1920)National Museums of Kenya
Printing kangas
This is a traditonal kanga printing block (mataba leiso). It has carved out patterns on hard wood. Today, the Swahili use modern printing methods, and such blocks are no longer in use.
MatNational Museums of Kenya
Swahili mat
This is a mat (mkeka) made from doum palm leaves. It was made by men to be sold for use at home.
As skilled craftsmen, the Swahili make beautiful products like baskets, furniture and ornaments out of wood, reeds and doum palm leaves.
Social structure
Traditional Swahili society is matrilineal. Women would own houses, which were built as soon as a girl is born, and men would make major decisions for the family and provided security to the community. A household included immediate family, such as cousins, nephews, nieces, grandparents and in-laws. Swahili life comprised of rites and ceremonies, which are based on Islam (birth, circumcision, marriage and death).
Coconut grater(mbuzi)National Museums of Kenya
Mbuzi
This is a coconut grater made of wood with an iron tip and decorated with animal symbols by a blacksmith. It was traditionally used by women for grating coconut to extract tui, coconut milk. Tui is a staple ingredient in most Swahili delicacies.
Mortar & PestleNational Museums of Kenya
Food preparation
A wooden mortar and pestle made by a craftsman and used by women for pounding grains to separate the cover from the seeds.
The wood was cut from a tree using an axe, and made hollow with a chisel.
Water reedNational Museums of Kenya
Making baskets
Reeds used by women for making baskets of various sizes and uses.
Hat Making StandNational Museums of Kenya
Man-made crafts
This is a wooden block on which hats are shaped. It was made by a male craftsman and used by a male hat maker.
WhiskNational Museums of Kenya
A whisk for churning milk
This is a large wooden whisk for churning milk. It was made by a male craftsman and used by women. The string on the central bar would be pulled back and forth through the holes on the side bars.
BeltNational Museums of Kenya
Swahili marriage
This is a silver belt worn by women during a wedding ceremony.
Swahili marriages were traditionally arranged, and marriage between cousins was encouraged so as to keep property and family together. A bride price was paid to the girl’s family but it was never a sign of total ownership.
The parents of a young man would visit the girl’s family and negotiate on behalf of their son. A positive response would start up the beginning of the wedding plans. More visits to the girl’s family followed up, accompanied by gifts.
Swahili marriages take 3 to 4 months to plan, during which both families hold different ceremonies. On the wedding day, food and music is always offered in plenty. Divorces and polygamy are allowed as provided for by Islamic law.
PlateNational Museums of Kenya
Swahili food
Rice cooked with coconut milk has traditionally been a staple food for the Swahili. Their meals incorporate locally available vegetables, fruits, and spices served with tea several times a day. Fish is also central in the diet, while chicken and goat meat are popular for holiday meals.
This aluminium plate (sinia) was used for serving food for communal eating.
Political structure
The Swahili society was divided into autonomous city states such as Pate, Malindi, Mombasa, Lamu and Gede, governed by a group of local nobility who were selected by birth or qualifications.
Hall of Kenya, Nairobi National MuseumNational Museums of Kenya
Siwa
The Siwa is a ceremonial side blown horn made from ivory and brass. Among the Swahili it was perceived as a symbol of unity, and Swahili rulers served as its sole guardians. The Siwa was also believed to have supernatural and magical powers.
Religion
The Swahili are predominantly Muslim. However, before the arrival of Islam, the Swahili worshiped according to the traditions of their ancestors. They believed in 'Mungu', God who is the creator of the universe, to whom they prayed directly.
Ushairi for entertainment
The Swahili involved themselves with different activities in their leisure time. Ushahiri (poetry) is an art and is regarded as the most important of the Swahili literature. It follows a set of rules which have been handed down from generation to generation. Through poetry, they expressed their thoughts, joys and agonies.
KettleNational Museums of Kenya
There are different types of poetry. For instance, utendi/utezi, which was used to record historical events; inkishafi, used to teach good behaviour and the fear of God; ukwafi, used to tell prophetic stories; tiyani fatiha, used to pray to God for relief when in difficulty; and hamziya used to praise the prophet Mohammed.
Utumbuizo (lullabies) were used to soothe a baby to sleep, and women also sang it to welcome their husbands home after a hard day in the fields Kimai was used by fishermen when they went fishing. The zivindo is used to preserve words that are pronounced the same but have different meaning. Examples of teaching phrases include: Kosa moja haliachi mke, meaning 'One fault does not warrant divorce of a wife.'
LyreNational Museums of Kenya
Swahili ceremonies and music
This is a lyre with a gourd resonator from the Swahili community. Swahili music is both secular and religious. During important ceremonies like weddings or Maulidi, which celebrates the birth of prophet Mohammed, music and dance are inseparable.
Taarab is a type of Swahili music that is popular for discussing life issues and for grieving when someone dies.
Explore and experience the Swahili culture
Every year, the Kenyan coastal region hosts the Maulidi Festival, celebrating the birth of Prophet Mohammed, and the Lamu Cultural Festival, celebrating the rich culture and traditions of the communities inhabiting the coastal region. The National Museums of Kenya preserves the culture and history of the coastal communities on various sites, monuments and museums, namely: Fort Jesus Mombasa, Malindi Museum, Mnarani ruins, Pate Islands, Julba la Mtwana, Mombasa Old Town, Lamu Old Town, and the Historic Town of Gede, among others.
Celebrating Kenya's communities today
Many of the cultural practices of the Swahili are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. The heritage and culture of the Swahili community, along with the more than 44 communities in Kenya, continues to fascinate and inspire. The National Museums of Kenya invites everyone to celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of all communities which makes up this great nation.
Learn more about the National Museums of Kenya by visiting our website.
Exhibit Curator: Philemon Nyamanga, Cultural Heritage Department. pnyamanga@museums.or.ke
Bibliography and research
1. Fedders A, Salvadori C. Peoples and cultures of Kenya. Nairobi: Transafrica and London: Rex Collings, 1980.
Photography and Creative Direction: Gibson Maina and Muturi Kanini. Gibs Photography
Exhibit Layout: Hazel V. Sanaipei, Agnes Mbaika Kisyanga, and Barnabas Ngei
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