Bomas of Kenya http://www.bomasofkenya.co.ke/
Boma is the Swahili word for homestead. The idea of Bomas of Kenya was to showcase the culture of every tribe in Kenya, to “preserve, maintain, promote the diverse cultures of Kenya”. Land was set aside, funds allocated but it is debatable if the institution has fulfilled what was set out in its mission statement. Between 1980 and 2002, corruption in Kenya was such that the land and the funds set aside for this work was appropriated. As a result, the bomas already set up represent a few of the nationalities in Kenya. Whose bomas are up, which people are represented at the Bomas of Kenya? Who are not represented? Why? What does this say about the social stratification of the different tribes in Kenya? What more can be done?
Ministry of State for National Heritage & Culture http://www.nationalheritage.go.ke/
This site contains information on government policy with regards to culture in Kenya. It is a one-stop shopping of organizations whose activities I want to keep abreast of; the National Archives of Kenya, Kenya Tourism Board, National Museums of Kenya, Department of Culture, Kenya Cultural Center and the Government of Kenya website. On this site, I can read on projects that are ongoing, proposed, upcoming and proposed projects.
World Oral Literature Project
voices of vanishing worlds
http://www.oralliterature.org/
Started by the Universitof Cambridge, the project provides funding to support local communities and fieldworkers in research of oral literature. The work ismainly in the preserving of endangered cultural practices. Copies of the literature are then deposited with the University of Cambridge which “aspires to become a permanent centre for the appreciation and preservation of oral literature” . The results of the funded projects are expected to respect local ritual belief and their availability online will be guided by the communities’ desires and needs.
Cultural Survival
http://www.culturalsurvival.org/explore
The work of preserving/sustaining work as it were, is a struggle that is expensive. Cultural Survival is an advocacy group with on going projects all around the world.
