Cultural Heritage,Heritage Stories

Côte d'Ivoire’s sacred talking drum is coming home: Lessons from Kenya on how it could transform lives
The Conversation  |  Aug 13, 2025

The Djidji Ayôkwé’s return is part of a broader movement to right colonial wrongs around looted artefacts, from Nigeria’s Benin Bronzes to Ethiopia’s...

Historic manuscripts returned to Timbuktu after 13 years in Mali's capital
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Aug 12, 2025

They were saved by local custodians who secretly moved over 27,000 documents out of Timbuktu to protect them from destruction during the militants' si...

Antonio Guterres leads global commemoration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Mary Wambui  |  Aug 09, 2025

According to the United Nations, indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environ...

US announces withdrawal from UNESCO again, citing "misalignment with national interests"
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Jul 22, 2025

The US State Department said the agency's decision to admit "the State of Palestine" as a full member contradicts US foreign policy and has encouraged...

African prisoners made sound recordings in German camps in WW1: This is what they had to say
The Conversation  |  Jun 08, 2025

Together, these songs, stories, and testimonies reveal a practice of knowledge extraction in POW camps, yet they also provide deeper insights and refl...

Gender ministry faces Sh4.3bn shortfall amid rush to deliver Ruto's cultural agenda
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 21, 2025

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee, Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo said the ministry needs Sh3.05 billion...

Kipini residents urge government to preserve historic DC’s office as tourist heritage site
Farhiya Hussein  |  May 18, 2025

Led by community leaders Jibril Gudo and Said Omar, the locals noted Kipini had suffered after the administrative headquarters were moved to Hola in T...

Garissa hosts its first cultural festival, celebrating diversity and unity
Issa Hussein  |  May 17, 2025

The event, themed “Celebrating Timeless Traditions Woven in Unity”, highlighted the artistic, historical, and social aspects of various cultures, fost...

Government to protect historic Portuguese Chapel from encroachment, pushes for UNESCO status
Rachael Mutabasi  |  May 16, 2025

She highlighted the chapel's importance as a symbol of the shared historical ties between Kenya and Portugal and emphasised that its preservation is a...

SokoLamu: County launches first online marketplace to boost local trade
Farhiya Hussein  |  May 04, 2025

Vendors were introduced to key features such as system login, dashboard navigation and vendor workflow management.

Vaco da Gama Pillar: A five centuries-old identity that makes Malindi distinct
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 19, 2025

Many tourists from around the globe are always fascinated to visit Malindi due to the fact that the town has unique tourist attraction sites and monum...

Wiyoni: Lamu’s 'Little Dubai' which has embraced modernity amidst centuries-old culture
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 09, 2025

Homeowners in Wiyoni have been enjoying the freedom to build their homes without any restrictions on the architectural rule or blueprint to follow.

400 heritage sites in  poor state amid funding shortfalls and neglect - PS
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 26, 2025

Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture, the Arts & Heritage Ummi Bashir informed the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Cultur...

Concerns as donkeys in Lamu turned to garbage eaters in new wave of cruelty
Farhiya Hussein  |  Feb 05, 2025

It has been established that some locals have secretly been abusing the animals, turning them into garbage eaters or “collectors”.

Lamu unveils first-ever recreation park in bid to boost tourism and trade
Farhiya Hussein  |  Feb 04, 2025

The beautification project is expected to not only provide locals with a serene space for relaxation but also attract more tourists, boosting local bu...

Cultural treasure: Uncovering secrets of Lamu's 400-year-old tombs
Farhiya Hussein  |  Dec 24, 2024

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions dating back over 700 years.

Hundreds of tourists flock to Lamu as 10th yoga festival kicks off
Farhiya Hussein  |  Oct 31, 2024

Yoga enthusiasts from other continents such as Europe, America, Asia, Dubai, India and Australia are expected to attend.

Tana River unveils its first museum showcasing county's rich cultural heritage
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 08, 2024

The museum, housed in a 120-year-old facility, features a variety of artefacts, including century-old canoes, fishing traps, and pottery that highligh...

Looting of African Heritage: Powerful new book explores damage done by colonial theft
The Conversation  |  Sep 07, 2024

Looting art in times of wars was not new. What made European colonial looting distinctive, though, was that the loot-filled a specific institution, th...

Lamu Old Town residents decry rise in insecurity due to lack of streetlights
Farhiya Hussein  |  Sep 04, 2024

The move has posed a risk to locals walking at night and even business people operating late at night.

Lamu’s Bajuni artisans take pride in preserving age-old handicraft tradition
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 27, 2024

 The village is also renowned for fishing, with a rich history in dhow building and repairs across the archipelago.

How woman’s passion for preserving Somali heritage birthed culture hubs
Hafsah Hassan  |  Aug 11, 2024

Fardowsa's vision stems from her aspiration to preserve Somali cultural heritage for upcoming generations.

Lamu Old Town set for revamp with new signage and street names 
Farhiya Hussein  |  Aug 05, 2024

The old town has been inhabited for over 700 years and was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 2001 due to its unique culture and heritage that...

Lamu’s Kahawa Chungu brewer marks 25 years of tradition and rich flavour
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jun 26, 2024

Farid Mohamed’s black coffee is more than just a beverage, it is a symbol of Lamu's rich heritage.

Nairobi to host Somali exhibition as country marks Independence Day 
Mary Wambui  |  Jun 10, 2024

The exhibition showacases Somali art and culture from June 25 to July 26, 2024 in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya.

Isiolo women go the extra mile to preserve rich Borana culture
Waweru Wairimu  |  May 21, 2024

Gadhis Adha group intends to document its culture including traditional attire, recipes, folk songs, riddles, dances, games, and language.

State announces plans to set up museum in Isiolo during Somali Cultural Festival
Waweru Wairimu  |  May 05, 2024

Participants were treated to a taste of Somali culture ranging from traditional delicacies to songs and dances, dressing code and mock traditional wed...

NMK transforms 129-year-old Tana River church into community museum
Farhiya Hussein  |  Apr 23, 2024

The missionary house will become Tana River's inaugural museum, joining the list of the nation's scarce community museums.

New Bill seeks to recognise, protect cultural heritage
Issa Hussein  |  Apr 22, 2024

The Bill gives guidance on the management of culture in Kenya and breaks down the functions of the national and county governments.

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