I had a very interesting visit to the Bomas of Kenya two weeks ago. Bomas of Kenya is a cultural heritage center in Nairobi. Actually, the word ‘Bomas’ is derived from a Swahili word that refers to traditional homesteads.�The center was opened in 1971, for the purpose of preserving the cultural heritage�of the people of Kenya. I was also motivated by the fact that the center is located just some few minutes from the Central Business District, and since I’m a resident of Nairobi, i simply used a public service vehicle to get there.
The Bomas of Kenya hosts various groups of traditional dancers from different ethnic groups. I was so excited to see the dancers from the Maasai, Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kamba�ethnic groups. The songs and dances were for different occasions e.g. there were songs which were sang during initiation ceremonies, during weddings, harvest time, and also on the birth of a new-born baby into the society.
There were also traditional villages which entailed huts built in different cultures. In a ‘boma‘ there were huts for the man of the family, and his respective wives and their families. Every wife had a hut built for her. You see, in the traditional African setting, polygamy was a way of life. A man who had married many wives was said to be wealthy. The bigger the �boma( homestead),�the wealthier the man was perceived to be.
Thank you Bomas of Kenya for preserving our heritage!
Inside one of the huts at the Bomas of Kenya A hut built for the first wife in a polygamous family�at the Bomas of Kenya A hut of the Turkana ethnic group Traditional beads showcased at the Bomas of Kenya