Kenya is quite bursting with museums. And quaint ones. Whether it's the German Post Office showing trade relations and growth of Kenya through postal evidence or the Railway Museum exhibiting steam engines and the colorful history of railways in Kenya, you could spend hours discovering the past.
Unfortunately the Kenya National Museum is closed for renovation till July 2007. The museum is so very big and broken into so many sections that you could easily spend a day there. If you have only a few hours to spare then take a look at the guide book in the entry way and select your tour. For the moment the Snake Park and Botanical Gardens that are part of the museum are open to public.
Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese in 1593 is hailed as the best example of 16th century portuguese military architecture. The fort has a tumultous history, changing hands no less than 9 times... from Portuguese to Omani Arabs to being used as a British prison. Finally in 1958 the fort was declared a National Monument and in 1962 it opened its doors as a museum. The fort in itself is impressive besides showcasing archeological finds, artifacts from a shipwreck off MOmbasa and holding a rather fascinating sound and light show reliving the history of the building.
Lamu Museum is the former District commissioner's house, originally built for Queen Victoria's consul, Jack Haggard. This museum houses a rich collection of ethnographic material from the Swahili, Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups. You'll also see traditional Swahili craft such as the Siwa (side-blown horn), furniture and jewellery.
Other museums on the Lamu island are the Swahili House museum and the Lamu Fort Environment museum.
Another really fascinating place is the Karen Blixen museum, which is a farmhouse. Okay, I confess, I just love Out of Africa and this museum is the erstwhile house of the author. You can spend a quiet day here (event rentspace for a wedding reception!), view period furnishings in a genuine home setting, mull over photographs of the coffee house, Blixen's house in Mbagathi and even see Denys Finch Hatton's grave.
The National Archives is another place filled with artwork, handicrafts and is rich is historical documents and photographs.
Other museums of note are the Hyrax Hill Museum- home to material from major prehistoric materials, the Kitale museum, Narok Museum, Kisumu museum and more.
In Kenya theatre is a common form of social education. Plays tend to be local production of foreign plays, and there is a definite tendency towards broad comedy. Other than the National Theatre groups like the Phoenix Players and Redykyulass are very popular.
Music and dance in Kenya is a rich amalgamation of many tribes and ethnic groups. Songs sung after victorious lion hunts in the masai tribe are popular performed along with a leaping dance to show off their prowess. Sikuiti, Siwu and Nyatiti are popular instruments (i'm just showing off... those would be drums, flute and lyre respectively) belting out tunes to raise your soul. Musicians like Mighty King Kong, Joseph Ogidi Eric Wainaina are bringing the african beats blended with some western twangs to the international stage. Keep an ear out. In a place like Africa, everything's music if you pay attention.
Though kenyans don't have many art galleries, the country is a literal storehouse. From rock caves to paintings, intricate beadwork and beautifully fashioned adornments, water gourds, neck pillows, body paint... evrything is used as an expression of creativity. A discerning visitor will be surprised at the wealth of art outside of the four walls of a gallery.
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