{"id":14609,"date":"2025-12-12T05:27:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T05:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/?p=14609"},"modified":"2025-12-12T05:58:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T05:58:59","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-101-republic-of-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/14609\/min-on-music-journey-no-101-republic-of-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 101: Republic of Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Min-On&#8217;s Music Journey! Today we&#8217;re traveling to the Republic of Kenya, located on the equator in East Africa<!--more-->, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813655918-kenya_1-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Kenya sits at a generally high altitude and is known for its cool, pleasant climate \u2013 often compared to Karuizawa, a Japanese city famous for being a place to escape the summer heat. Its official languages are English and Swahili, and an important Swahili word cherished by the people is Harambee, meaning &#8220;pulling together&#8221;. Kenya\u2019s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, adopted it as a national slogan, and it is even inscribed on the national coat of arms \u2013 an expression of unity that continues to support the nation.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kenya_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1089\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'>Kenya Travel Guide<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 Stroll through the modern streets of Nairobi<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 Experience overwhelming natural beauty in Kenya\u2019s national parks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 Listen to the traditional sounds of the nyatiti<\/div><\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18309\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kenya_2_Updated-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1178\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Our journey begins with a powerful Maasai dance performed by the The Kenya National Dancers and Drummers invited by Min-On in 1991.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011&quot;Maasai Dance&quot; | The Kenya National Dancers and Drummers\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N0bCQ9PiOhc?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nairobi: Leading global African city\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Located in south-central Kenya, Nairobi is one of Africa\u2019s most advanced cities. With widespread digital services including cashless payments and ride-hailing apps, visitors can enjoy a smooth and comfortable stay here using their smartphone.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813655937-kenya_4-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1072\" height=\"608\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hub of international organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nairobi hosts the headquarters of several international organizations, most notably the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). These institutions position Nairobi as a major global center.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Harmony of nature and city<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One of Nairobi\u2019s defining features is the coexistence of urban development and abundant nature. A symbolic example is Karura Forest, an urban forest of more than 1,000 hectares. Thanks to the efforts of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, the forest is preserved and actively protected by local groups.<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'>Wangari Maathai\u2019s environmental work\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the meeting between Min-On founder Daisaku Ikeda and Dr. Maathai. Among her many achievements, the Green Belt Movement \u2013 responsible for planting more than 50 million trees across Africa \u2013 has had a particularly profound impact. It began with just seven seedlings planted in a suburban Nairobi park. Today, Nairobi\u2019s beautiful harmony of greenery and city life reflects her enduring vision and legacy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The future is in the present. If there is something you want to realize, you must take action now.&#8221; \u2013Wangari Maathai<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18311\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813655948-kenya_5-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" \/><em>MAKE\u00a0IT\u00a0KENYA\u00a0PHOTO\u00a0\/\u00a0STUART\u00a0PRICE<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The profound natural beauty behind &#8220;The Lion King&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kenya offers vast landscapes said to have inspired the scenery in &#8220;The Lion King.&#8221; Here we present a talking drum performance from the 1991 Min-On concert \u2013 set against Kenya\u2019s magnificent nature.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MIN-ON Music Journey: The Charm of Africa &amp; the Talking Drum | The Kenya National Dancers &amp; Drummers\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-8YOiOtW1zw?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Great Rift Valley\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This massive geological formation stretches roughly 7,000 km across Africa and spans 50\u201360 km in width. The portion in Kenya includes the alkaline lakes Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita \u2013 collectively registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their unique alkaline waters and soils nurture rare ecosystems, including enormous populations of flamingos. At times, up to 75% of the world\u2019s lesser flamingos gather at Lakes Bogoria and Nakuru, making the area an invaluable habitat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National parks in Kenya<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kenya is home to many national parks, most of which are accessible from Nairobi.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18312\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813656008-kenya_6-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1184\" \/><\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><table style=\"width: 743px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 337.285px;\"><strong>Tsavo National Park<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 392.354px;\">\u30fbOne of the largest protected areas in the country<\/p>\n<p>\u30fbHome to a wide variety of wildlife including lions, elephants, hippos, and caracals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 337.285px;\"><strong>Amboseli National Park<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 392.354px;\">\u30fbObserve herds of elephants<\/p>\n<p>\u30fbOffers breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 337.285px;\"><strong>Maasai Mara National Reserve<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 392.354px;\">\u30fbWitness the Great Migration of wildebeest from summer to autumn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 337.285px;\"><strong>Mount Kenya National Park \/ Forest<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 392.354px;\">\u30fbWorld Heritage site centered around Mount Kenya, Africa&#8217;s second-highest peak<\/p>\n<p>\u30fbWell-equipped base for climbing and trekking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813656012-kenya_7-copy-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1766\" height=\"1343\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mombasa: Kenya\u2019s second city and historic port\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Facing the Indian Ocean, the Port of Mombasa is East Africa\u2019s maritime gateway. Long a key center for trade and regional development, it is home to numerous historical sites.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/813656039-kenya_11-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" \/><em>MAKE\u00a0IT\u00a0KENYA\u00a0PHOTO\u00a0\/\u00a0STUART\u00a0PRICE<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Fort Jesus \u2013 built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century \u2013 is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in Swahili coastal culture. Nearby, Old Town blends Indian, Arab and European influences, forming a unique heritage district<\/p>\n<p>Here, please enjoy &#8220;Malaika,&#8221; meaning &#8220;angel&#8221; in Swahili, performed by the Mungano National Choir in the 1991 Min-On concert.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011&quot;Malaika&quot; | The Kenya National Dancers and Drummers\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RKT1V5Aks90?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kenyan musical culture\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With rapid urbanization, Kenya\u2019s music scene has become increasingly modern and international. At the same time, its multiethnic identity sustains a rich variety of traditional musical cultures.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kenya_13_Updated-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1204\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kenya_13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1204\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Traditional Kenyan instruments\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kenya has a range of distinctive percussion and string instruments, some of which are preserved in the Min-On Music Museum:<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><table style=\"width: 741px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 198.174px;\"><strong>Adeudeu<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 529.463px;\">A harp-like instrument of the Teso people<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 198.174px;\"><strong>Nyatiti<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 529.463px;\">An eight-stringed plucked bowl yoke lute of the Luo people<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 198.174px;\"><strong>Kihembe Ngoma<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 529.463px;\">An animal-skin drum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Please listen to a solo performance on the nyatiti, an eight-string traditional Luo instrument, from a Min-On concert.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011&quot;Nyatiti Solo&quot; | The Kenya National Dancers and Drummers\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LiVxGUD0VPk?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kenyan music genres\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The nyatiti is also used in contemporary music, including the popular genre Benga, which emerged in Nairobi from the 1940s to 1960s. Benga blends traditional folk melodies with African rumba and has shaped Kenya\u2019s popular music scene. One of its legendary musicians known to the public since 1967\u00a0 is Joseph Kamaru.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kenya Ya Ngai- SMS [Skiza 5802087 ) to 811\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eUV25N9t0pA?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Today, Nairobi continues to foster new sounds, including the youth-driven hip-hop styles &#8220;Genge&#8221; and &#8220;Gengetone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In closing, please enjoy some performances from musicians recommended by the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Fernando Anuang\u2019a &#8211; Maasai Jumping dance &#8211; MAASAI Dance &#8211; Vertical jumps<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Maasai Jumping dance - MAASAI Dance - Vertical jumps. #maasaijump #maasaidance #maasai\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kELqAOwnsLE?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Sauti Sol &#8211; Kuliko Jana ft (Red Fourth Chorus)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sauti Sol - Kuliko Jana ft (RedFourth Chorus) SMS [Skiza 1069356] to 811\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ojvz49lSfM4?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Kenyan Boys Choir &#8211; Asio<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kenyan Boys Choir - Asio\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-iiLxFaNKhI?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We hope you enjoyed this music journey to Kenya! There are still many more places to go! Please look forward to our next destination.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18317\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kenya_14Updated2-min.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1350\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(Produced in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan, who also provided photos.)<\/p>\n<p>Min-On Concert Association<br \/>\n\u2013Music Binds Our Hearts\u2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Min-On&#8217;s Music Journey! Today we&#038;#8217 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[415],"tags":[110],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Chinese Traditional - Min-On Website","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14609"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14609"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14612,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14609\/revisions\/14612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}