Kenya
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culture
Kenyan
Kenyan culture is a fascinating way of life that blends the traditions of thousands of years of African social evolution with
the modern influences of the 20th century. Kenya is a melting pot of nations and linguistically diverse and as far as Kenya
religion goes, the Constitution of Kenya guarantees freedom of religion and worship to its people.
People
The vast majority of Kenyans are Christians, and the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches are the most established
Christian denominations. In addition, there are a number of Evangelical churches and Independent African Christian
churches.
Islam is another major religion in Kenya. Followers include both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. The largest number of
Muslims in Kenya are found in Mombasa and the neighboring coastal regions, as well as the northeastern regions of Kenya.
Nairobi also has numerous mosques and a notable Muslim following.
Many of the traditional African religions are no longer widely practiced. Some of the denominations considered as
indigenous religions combine aspects of Christianity with traditional religious beliefs. One of these denominations is Dini ya
Msambwa, found mostly in Kenya's Western province.
Then there are the few Kenyan Indians who adhere to Hinduism and Sikhism.They reside in most major towns and cities
across Kenya.
Languages
English and Swahili, Kenya's two official languages, each of the country's 42 ethnic groups also has its own unique
dialect.
English was inherited from Kenya's British colonial past. English is the language of choice in business, academics and social
set-ups in Kenya.
Kiswahili (also called Swahili) is the national language of Kenya. It is a unifying African language spoken by nearly 100
percent of the Kenyan population. The purest form of Kiswahili is spoken along the coast where native Swahili people live.
Swahili is one of the most common African languages and it is spoken in many countries other than Kenya, such as
Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Zaire.
Sheng is a commonly spoken slang in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. It is a mixture of Swahili and English, with a sprinkling of
other indigenous languages. In fact, Sheng is more than just slang - it's a lifestyle, especially among the urban youth who,
today, are more fluent in Sheng [