In these times, we cannot help but be amazed and thankful for the wonderful fruits we enjoy as a result of cultural diversity.
Being surrounded by different cultures is what makes life more interesting and worth living. Cultural diversity in Kenya has contributed greatly to the peace and stability of the country.
Back in the day, different ethnic groups were associated with a certain way of life, a certain geographic location, and certain foods or dressings, just to mention a few.
It was as clear as the skies that githeri with ‘waru and thufu’ was a Kikuyu thing. The luos had fish, the kisiis had bananas, and the Luhya had their ugali as a staple, served with a side of tea. It was tradition.
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Over time though, with the migration and settlement of different cultures in different parts of the country, the narrative has somewhat shifted.
Different ethnic groups have assimilated into what their counterparts are doing. These days, people are not just doing things because of ethnic affiliations.
The Kikuyus are eating ugali, the Maasais enjoy fish from time to time and the kambas do indulge in some of that matoke aside from their muthokoi staple.
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Even the method of dressing has changed. Communities have adopted each other’s dress codes with a touch of modernity, because well, it is a digital era after all.
The most beautiful thing about this cultural diversity is that now, the air has been cleared when it comes to the stereotypes that surround a certain ethnic group.
We don’t believe that only Kikuyus love money or that the Kamba’s only strengths are witchcraft.
This is a good thing since now we have space and freedom to even intermarry. It was harder back in the day because the moment you, a Kikuyu man brought home a Kisii girl, it would be a huge issue, with your mother making snide comments about how she doesn’t want to be bewitched.
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We have cultural diversity to thank for that. Even with that, we still acknowledge ourselves for retaining our heritage.
With our local foods, our cultural attires like the Maasai and their shukas, and even our cultural practices like circumcisions and ‘ruracios”.
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Cultural diversity has shaped what we are as people. It reminds us that before we are a certain ethnic group- Maasai, Kamba, Embu- whatever it is, we are first of all Kenyans. That is a beautiful thing.
