The Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kenya reflect the joy Kenyans have in their country’s freedom and independence from British colonial rule. They also reflect the unique and colorful culture of Kenya as a whole.
In this article, you’ll learn about Jamhuri Day in Kenya,
including its history and current celebrations. We hope to make every aspect of
your language-learning journey both fun and informative, starting with this
article!
Ready? Let’s go.
1. What is Jamhuri Day?
Jamhuri Day is Kenya’s celebration of its independence and
freedom. The Swahili word jamhuri translates to “republic” in
English, and Jamhuri Day is also called “Republic Day” or “Independence Day.”
1- Jamhuri Day History
Germans were the first colonists to Kenya, though, in the
1890s, the British colonists who came after they claimed Kenya for themselves.
In 1920, the British officially colonized Kenya.
As you can imagine, this led to disputes over time. Such
disputes typically had to do with the lack of political involvement allowed the
African people, and others were over land or cultural issues.
Finally, in 1952, a group of people—led by Dedan Kimathi, who was
later executed—started the Mau Mau Uprising. This led to approximately ten long
years of great distress throughout Kenya, though over time, the British
colonists did allow room for the African people to address these issues.
JomoKenyatta was elected the first President of the Kenyan government in
1957. In 1964, he also served as the first President of the Republic of Kenya.
2. Jamhuri Day-Date
Each year, Kenya celebrates its Independence Day on December
12. This is the date in 1964 that the country officially became a republic.
3. Jamhuri Day Celebrations & Traditions
Jamhuri Day in Kenya holds a colorful variety of
celebrations and events.
Some of the more popular and festive Jamhuri Day traditions
include parades and air shows, especially in
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Perhaps the most spectacular of these events is
the Trooping of the Colour, a British and Commonwealth tradition. Further, Kenya’s
President gives a JamhuriDay speech each year and watches the parade along with the rest of
Kenya.
At home, many Kenyans celebrate by rejoining their families
for a time
of feasting and catching up with each other. Families who choose to
spend most of their time at home may watch the Jamhuri Day awards, speeches,
and parades on TV together as well.
4. Bungee Jumping
Jamhuri Day parades, fireworks, and a cozy meal with loved
ones isn’t quite enough for some Kenyans, though. Do you know how else some
people choose to celebrate Jamhuri Day?
To celebrate freedom and independence in a more exhilarating way, some people go bungee jumping. Yes, bungee jumping!
Final Thoughts
How do you celebrate Independence Day in your country? Are
traditions similar or very different from those in Kenya? Let us know in the
comments!
Learning about a country’s history and culture is one of the
most fascinating and enriching aspects of trying to master its language.
Happy Jamhuri Day!
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