Cultural Heritage, Diversity and the Power of Ethnography in Kenya

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 25 December 2025 - Across Kenya, the rhythm of drums, the colour of traditional regalia, and the retelling of ancestral stories continue to affirm that culture remains the heartbeat of community identity.

From the coast to the highlands and across the lake region, cultural heritage celebrations have become more than festive gatherings—they are living expressions of history, belonging, and continuity.

In an increasingly modern and globalised society, these events underscore the importance of ethnography in preserving the distinct traditions that define Kenya’s many communities.

Ethnography, which is the study and documentation of people’s cultures, customs, languages, and social practices, plays a vital role in safeguarding heritage.

Through festivals, rituals, music, dance, and oral narratives, communities do more than celebrate.

They record who they are and pass that knowledge to future generations.

Each celebration becomes a cultural archive, capturing values, social structures, and worldviews that might otherwise be eroded by time and change.

Kenya’s cultural calendar reflects this diversity.

Each community marks its identity in a unique way, whether through harvest festivals, rites of passage, or annual cultural days that bring together elders, youth, and the diaspora.

These events are not only moments of pride but also platforms for education, dialogue, and unity, reminding younger generations of their roots while opening cultural spaces to other communities.

The national leadership has increasingly recognised the symbolic and practical importance of such celebrations.

President William Ruto has, in recent years, made a point of attending cultural festivals across different regions, reinforcing the idea that culture is a unifying national asset rather than a divisive marker.

“Our cultural diversity is a powerful symbol of who we are as a nation,” the President has said, noting that Kenya’s many traditions reflect resilience, creativity, and shared values.

In gracing community celebrations, Ruto has emphasized that respecting culture strengthens national cohesion and affirms the dignity of every community within the republic.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has been a consistent and articulate voice on the value of cultural heritage and ethnography.

He has repeatedly stressed that culture is dynamic—rooted in history yet adaptable to changing times.

“Culture is not frozen in the past. Rather, it evolves with the people while preserving their identity,” Mudavadi has observed.

He has argued that understanding one’s cultural foundations enables communities to engage confidently with modernisation without losing their sense of self.

Mudavadi has also highlighted the symbolic importance of cultural rites and festivals in fostering unity and continuity.

“When we celebrate our cultures, we are not only honoring our ancestors but also educating our children and strengthening national cohesion,” he has said.

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In his view, ethnography provides the tools through which communities document their stories, values, and institutions, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of identity.

These sentiments resonate strongly with cultural scholars and practitioners.

Ethnographer Ben Ndukwe underscores that cultural rites are essential social anchors.

“Rites of passage, festivals, and traditional ceremonies are not mere performances; they are social systems that teach responsibility, morality, and belonging,” Ndukwe explains.

According to him, ethnography helps societies understand why these rites matter, preserving their meaning beyond spectacle.

“When a community documents and practices its rites, it safeguards its collective memory and transmits wisdom across generations,” he adds.

This commitment to cultural preservation is evident as the Prime Cabinet Secretary meets the Maragoli Cultural Team Committee in Mbale for final preparations ahead of the 46th Logoli Cultural Festival in Vihiga County.

The Logoli festival stands as one of western Kenya’s most enduring cultural events, bringing together the Maragoli people to showcase traditional music, dance, cuisine, folklore, and social customs.

Beyond celebration, the festival serves as a forum for reflecting on community values, development priorities, and the preservation of language and identity.

The longevity of the Logoli Cultural Festival speaks to the resilience of cultural identity.

For more than four decades, the event has functioned as a living record of Maragoli ethnography, documenting customs that might otherwise fade amid urbanization and social change.

Over time, it has also evolved to address contemporary concerns, blending tradition with dialogue on education, leadership, and economic empowerment—illustrating Mudavadi’s assertion that culture is both rooted and dynamic.

At the national level, such festivals contribute to cultural tourism, local economies, and mutual understanding.

When Kenyans participate in or observe each other’s cultural celebrations, appreciation grows and stereotypes diminish. Diversity becomes a bridge rather than a barrier, reinforcing a shared sense of nationhood built on respect for difference.

As Kenya continues to navigate modernisation, globalisation, and technological change, cultural heritage celebrations remain vital anchors.

They remind the country that progress does not require the abandonment of identity.

Instead, through ethnography, cultural rites, and inclusive leadership, communities can preserve their past while shaping an inclusive future.

In celebrating each other’s cultures, Kenyans reaffirm a shared national story—one written in many languages, rhythms, and traditions, yet united by a common sense of belonging and purpose.