Kenya: Mambo Poa
odd: label: Introduction
content: Kenya is a country of deeply rooted traditions and a vibrant cultural crossroads. Some of the oldest artifacts of human communities have been discovered in Kenya, making the East African country truly a cradle of humanity.

Today, it is a dynamic nation that links its prehistoric past to new cultural expressions in a land of great environmental contrasts. Kenya's diverse landscapes stretch from snow-capped mountains to the Great Rift Valley, from deserts to lakes, vast savannahs, lush forests, and a sparkling coastare reflected in the rich diversity of the Kenyan people and their traditions.

Occurring just after the fiftieth anniversary of Kenya's independence from the British Empire, the Kenya: Mambo Poa program presented the ways in which the people of Kenya are balancing protection of their valued cultural and natural heritage with the challenges and opportunities for change in the twenty-first century.

Festival visitors interacted with exemplary craftspeople who work with everything from clay to soapstone to recycled materials, learned about important fossil discoveries by taking part in a model dig site from the Great Rift Valley, ran with Kenya's Olympic athletes, danced to both traditional and contemporary music from many regions of the country, discovered how Kenyans live among and work with some of the most magnificent wildlife on the continent, and experienced Kenyan life in the United States.

All of this took place in venues and spaces that reflect the creative and dynamic experiences of the Kenyan people, whether they live in urban or rural, coastal or inland environments.

Preston Scott was Program Curator and Arlene Reiniger was Program Coordinator; Elizabeth Ouma was Kenya Project Manager.

The program was produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with the Government of Kenya. Additional support was provided by the U.S. Agency for lnternational Development, the HENRY Foundation, the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, Deborah Santana, and the Consortium for World Cultures of the Smithsonian lnstitution.
label: Presenters, Research, and Technical Committee
content: Nicholas Odhiambo Abonyo, Patrick Abungu, Aghan Odero Agan, Patrick Ondiek Agengo, David Amunga, Silas Amunga, Tume Tari Arero, Jane Atudo, Muhammed Wako Dase, Nuria Golo, Emily Gumba, Emma lrungu, Jillo Guyo Jillo, Qabale Jirma, Caroline Kariuki, Jimbi Katana, Joseph Kibunja, Qabale Jirma Kinato, Eric Kotonya, Charlotte Sara Kwena, Nyavanga Lugalia, Khisa Mbotela, Callistus Musiomi, Alex Muigai Njuguna, Martha Njunguna, Charles Nziivo, Thomas Wasonga Ogola, Joseph O. Oindi, Wilfred N. Okibegwa, Samson M. Ong'esa, Denis Opudo, Dorothy Auma Otieno, Malakì A. Sam, Dokatu H. Wako, Susan Wanjaria
label: Participants
content: Coast

Ali Abdalla Ali, 1973-, dhow carpenter, Lamu, Kenya

Ali Bakari Bwana Madi, 1967-, dhow carpenter, Lamu, Kenya

Ahmed Yusuf Suleiman, 1979-, plaster worker, Lamu, Kenya

Salim Mohamed Atwaa, turtle conservationist

Pastoral

Teresia Mbula Kimei, basket weaver, Machakos, Kenya

Victoria Munini Mutua, basket weaver, Machakos, Kenya

Lucy Agutu Okundu, 1967-, basket weaver, Kisumu, Kenya

Apollo Omondi Omware, 1977-, basket weaver, Kisumu, Kenya

Susana Chemakwany Daniel, bead worker, Nairobi, Kenya

Susan Naserian Nketoria, 1977-, bead worker, Ngong Hills, Kenya

Rahab Wjuhi Kinyanjui, 1975-, human origins researcher, Nairobi, Kenya

Fredrick Kyalo Manthi, 1967-, human origins researcher, Nairobi, Kenya

Joshua Nzioki Mativo, 1972-, human origins researcher

Musyoka Kilonzi Mwangangi, 1962-, human origins researcher

Living and Working with Wildlife  -- Living and Working with WildlifeMunira Kavosa Anyonge, 1957-, The Nature Conservancy, Nairobi, KenyaCelina Nabalayo Butali, 1978-, Northern Rangelands Trust, Isiolo, KenyaJosephat Bwire, 1983-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaOmar Godana Dida, 1956-, Nasuulu Conservancy, Isiolo, KenyaJohn Lopulo Ekai, 1991-, Nakuprat-Gotu Conservancy, Nairobi, KenyaJosephine Scopio Ekiru, 1984-, Nakurpat Wildlife Conservancy, Isiolo, KenyaMwanamisi Ghofwa Haodo, Kenya Wildlife ServiceTom Jonathan Lalampaa, 1979-, Northern Rangelands Trust, Isiolo, KenyaBeatrice Namunyak Lempaira, 1984-, Naibunga Wildlife Conservancy, Nanyuki, KenyaRichard Austine Lokorukou, 1984-, Namunyak Conservancy, Wamba, KenyaJackson Kibui Marubu, 1981-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaCatherine Mwihaki Wateri, 1976-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaPhilemon Kimutai Ngengo, 1982-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaIbrahim Abdi Ogle, 1957-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaSolomon Kipkemoi Tanui, 1987-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, KenyaEdwin Wanjala Wanyonyi, 1975-, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya

Henry Wanyoike, 1974-, marathon runner, Nairobi, Kenya

Joseph Kibunja, marathon runner

Mwanajuma Malika Badiri, 1983-, Pokomo hut builder, Tana River, Kenya

Salma Ndoge Maro, 1973-, Pokomo hut builder, Mombasa, Kenya

Dina Anyango Adipo, potter, Homabay, Kenya

Grace Akinyi Jakoyo, 1955-, potter, Homabay, Kenya

Elkana Omweri Ong'esa, 1944-, soapstone carver, Nairobi, Kenya

Mark Obara Zebedee, 1957-, soapstone carver, Kisi, Kenya

Meshack Ndunda Kivuva, 1948-, wood carver, Nairobi, Kenya

Mutunga Japheth Munya, 1960-, wood carver, Nairobi, Kenya

Urban

Jane Wanjiru Maina, 1973-, hair braider, Nairobi, Kenya

Farida Rashid Mohamed, 1962-, henna painter, Mombasa, Kenya

Fatuma Simba Bakediye, henna painter, Mombasa, Kenya

Isaac Maina Kibe, 1974-, recycling artist, muralist, Nairobi, Kenya

Patrick Thuita Kibe, 1987-, recycling artist, muralist, Nairobi, Kenya

Francis Mutua Muvua, recycling artist, carver

Jonathan Lenato, 1982-, recycling artist, carver

Hellen Alumbe Namai, 1975-, storyteller, Nairobi, Kenya

Newton Zadock Kweya, 1985-, storyteller, Nairobi, Kenya

Mohamed Hussein Abdulkader Kaderdina, 1964-, textile worker, Mombasa, Kenya

Abdulhamid Muneeb Kaderdina, 1975-, textile worker, Mombasa, Kenya

Ahmed Mohamed Nongodha, 1955-, textile worker, Lamu, Kenya

Cooks

Fatma Ali Mohamed Busaidy, 1964-, cook, Lamu, Kenya

Alice Awuor Oduor, 1975-, cook, Nairobi, Kenya

Emily Ondese Oduor, 1967-, cook, Nairobi, Kenya

Amina Harith Swaleh, 1966-, cook, Mombasa, Kenya

Dancers

Ramogi Dancers from Homa Bay County  -- Ramogi Dancers from Homa Bay CountyPaul Orwa Apiyo, 1960-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaDaniel Akumu Mandha, 1980-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaAlfred Anyango Migure, 1945-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJames Ojuok Ochieng', 1954-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaKennedy Odhiambo Olela, 1973-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJohn Ooyi Ooyi, 1962-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJoseph Aludo Owaka, 1947-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaJohn Owuor Oyugi, 1959-, dancer, Nyangweso, KenyaStanbradox Odhiambo Oyugi, 1992-, dancer, Nyangweso, Kenya

Musicians

Gargar  -- GargarLuli Bashir Muge Abdi, 1973-, vocals, Lamu, KenyaAmina Bashir Elmoge, 1984-, vocals, Garissa, KenyaAnab Gure Ibrahim, 1972-, vocals, Garissa, Kenya

Kenge Kenge  -- Kenge KengeTobias Onyango Agola, 1977-, drums, lead vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBoaz Otieno Aketch, 1987-, orutu fiddle, oporo horn, Nairobi, KenyaJoseph Ojunga Kungu, 1974-, horn, Kisumu, KenyaGeorge Achieng' Odero, 1975-, orutu fiddle, Nairobi, Kenya

Lelele Afrika  -- Lelele AfrikaMwanaisha Abdalla Mohamed (Nyota Ndogo), 1981-, vocals, Mombasa, KenyaMbarak Ali Haji Msuo, 1958-, harmonium, Mombasa, KenyaMohammed Adio Shigo, 1946-, taishokoto zither, Mombasa, Kenya

Featured Artists  -- Featured ArtistsCharles Odero Ademson (Makadem), 1972-, guitar, kalimba, nyatiti, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaPeter Akwabi Okutoi, 1946-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaPoloycarp Onyango Awino (Winyo), 1982-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaKadir Roba Duba (Kadir Kotola), 1984-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBosco Mutua Mulwa, guitar, vocalsDaniel Kamau (DK) Mwai, vocals, Thika, KenyaSamba Mapangala, vocalsMohamed Said Ngana (Bado), 1980, vocals, Watamu, KenyaJohn Amutabi Nzenze, 1938-, guitar, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaBeatrice Achieng' Odhiambo (Iddi Achieng'), 1975-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaMusa Odhiambo Omondi (Olith Ratego), 1974-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaRonald Ontiri Onchuru (Ontiri Bikundo), 1976-, obokano, vocals, Kisii, KenyaJob Ouko Seda (Ayub Ogada), 1956-, nyatiti, Nairobi, KenyaSusan Adhiambo Owiyo (Suzanna Owiyo), 1974-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaEric James Wainaina Mwaniki, 1973-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaJob Ouko Seda, musician, actorCarol Lynn Atemi Oyungu, singerWalter Kivure Mwangombe, keyboards

Session Musicians, Band 1  -- Session Musicians, Band 1Linda Wangechi Muthama, 1983-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaMarvin Maveke Mutisya (Marvo), 1985-, drums, Nairobi, KenyaIsaac Gem Ojwang (Izzo Gem), 1974-, bass, Nairobi, KenyaDavid Lawrence Otieno, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaJulius Mathew Wakake Otieno, 1975-, percussion, Nairobi, Kenya

Session Musicians, Band 2  -- Session Musicians, Band 2Thobias Imani Koech, 1982-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaShadrack Muithya Makau (Shaddy), 1981-, keyboards, Nairobi, KenyaJackline Kasiva Mutua, 1988-, percussion, Nairobi, KenyaLydia Mwango Ogoti Onchangu, 1975-, vocals, Nairobi, KenyaCharles Otieno Owino (Chao), bass, Nairobi, KenyaMathew Omondi Rabala (Matayo), drums, Nairobi, Kenya

Session Musicians, Band 3  -- Session Musicians, Band 3Kombo Chokwe Burns, 1973-, guitar, Nairobi, KenyaIddi Aziz Kunya, 1980-, bass, Nairobi, KenyaRobert Christopher Oyoo (Chris Adwar), 1979-, keyboards, Nairobi, KenyaHenry Ndenge Saha, 1975-, drums, Nairobi, KenyaAllan Gituthu Wanjohi, 1990-, bass, Nairobi, Kenya

Support  -- SupportNicholas Odhiambo Abonyo, 1988-, presenter, technical support, Nairobi, KenyaPatrick Ondiek Agengo, 1982-, presenter, technical support, Nairobi, KenyaWalter Mon'gare (Nyambane), liaison, Nairobi, KenyaStephen Kubutia Murembe (Steve 64), 1977-, roadie, technical manager, Nairobi, KenyaWilliam Ogutu Osusa (Tabu Osusa), 1954-, band, ensemble manager, Nairobi, Kenya
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.2014, Series 3
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials