Many cultures still live by tribal rules, which have served them for centuries. Recently we became acquainted with a member of the Maasai group from Kenya. As a youth of 15 he was expected to go through an initiation involving circumcision without crying out. Then after passing this test, he was sent out into the wild and was visited from time to time by the elders of the tribe who talked to him about his heritage, telling him stories of their tribal past. Young boys going through this period of initiation would then come back as men ready to take on the work of the tribe.


The young men listened to their elders because they knew that the knowledge imparted would ensure their survival. Since the sexes were segregated in their rituals and in their tribal responsibilities, only the males of the tribe would travel months at a time to follow the rains so their cattle could find lush grazing. Young females would be taught their duties in raising a family. These tribal rituals were often extremely harsh but times were harsh and the family was being prepared for survival.

Un travail ereintant, reserve la plupart du temps aux enfants, pour un salaire derisoire... Chaque piece de bois se vend 5 shillings, soit 0,07USD ou 0,05 Euro...





Photos prises ce lundi 20 octobre 2008

Poverty a big hurdle in achieving Vision 2030


Several economists say that to a certain extent, the government has managed to keep interest rates fairly low.

Short-term interest rates are in the range of 7 per cent for 91-day Treasury bills and 8 per cent for 182-day Treasury bills.

Overall inflation

Inflation is measured in two ways: overall, which includes all components of consumer goods and services, and underlying, which excludes food and energy (fuel and electricity).

Underlying inflation excludes these two for one reason. Food and energy are thought to be outside the control of monetary authority, in this case the Central Bank because its mandate is to ensure low inflation, or what they call technically, price stability.

“If you look at underlying inflation, it has been below 10 per cent,” the stockbroker said. “And although CBK targets 5 per cent or less, it now stands at 8 per cent, which is not very high.”

For this reason, Vision 2030 places the highest premium on a stable macroeconomic environment and expects it to continue in the future as a matter of policy.

This is the only way in which confidence among investors and ordinary Kenyans can be maintained. A stable economic environment also works in favour of the poor who stand to lose the most in periods when high inflation eats into their purchasing power.

Major challenge

Whereas Kenya was able to scale up economic growth to 6.1 per cent per annum in 2006, it is recognised that further scaling up to 10 per cent per annum will be a major challenge.

Only a small number of countries, other than those endowed with substantial natural resources, have been able to scale up growth to 10 per cent and to sustain it for a long period.

Several economists say that to a certain extent, the government has managed to keep interest rates fairly low.

Short-term interest rates are in the range of 7 per cent for 91-day Treasury bills and 8 per cent for 182-day Treasury bills.

Overall inflation

Inflation is measured in two ways: overall, which includes all components of consumer goods and services, and underlying, which excludes food and energy (fuel and electricity).

Underlying inflation excludes these two for one reason. Food and energy are thought to be outside the control of monetary authority, in this case the Central Bank because its mandate is to ensure low inflation, or what they call technically, price stability.

“If you look at underlying inflation, it has been below 10 per cent,” the stockbroker said. “And although CBK targets 5 per cent or less, it now stands at 8 per cent, which is not very high.”

For this reason, Vision 2030 places the highest premium on a stable macroeconomic environment and expects it to continue in the future as a matter of policy.

This is the only way in which confidence among investors and ordinary Kenyans can be maintained. A stable economic environment also works in favour of the poor who stand to lose the most in periods when high inflation eats into their purchasing power.

Major challenge

Whereas Kenya was able to scale up economic growth to 6.1 per cent per annum in 2006, it is recognised that further scaling up to 10 per cent per annum will be a major challenge.

Only a small number of countries, other than those endowed with substantial natural resources, have been able to scale up growth to 10 per cent and to sustain it for a long period.

SOURCE :

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/481596/-/item/1/-/11axfcv/-/index.html

Quelques vues du Samburu District, sur fond musical...


POUR VOIR ET ECOUTER :


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/3/13/1811927/Photor%C3%A9cit1.wmv

The Wedding Song – Demis Roussos

I will love you forever
I will love you from now, 'til the end of time
And I promise forever
I will give up my will for you
I will fulfill all your dreams for you
I would give up my life for you
I will stay by your side
To protect you and hide you from all of the pain
That a man and a woman must hide
I will stand by your side.

I would give up my life for you
Just to do right to you
You will know who I am
Only you would understand
I would give up my life for you

(Stand by me) I will be there when you need me
(Swear by me) I swear by the part of God that's in me
I will care and be there
For as long as you need
I will stay by your side.

I will love you forever
I will love you from now 'til the end of time
I will stay by your side.

I will love you forever
I will love you from now 'til the end of time.
And I promise forever
I will love you forever
'Til the end of time



POUR ECOUTER :


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/3/13/1811927/Demis%20Roussos%20-%20I%20Will%20Love%20You%20Forever.MP3

What to be addicted to computer means....

Nature Preserves Benefit Local Communities


During periods of excessive drought, local herders in northern Kenya, including this woman at the Samburu National Reserve, are allowed access to protected areas, where livestock will share scarce water with elephants and other wildlife. During two recent droughts, 60 percent of the cattle in this primarily pastoral region died, but herding communities on the borders of Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves fared far better as a result of their legal access to parklands.

.../...Article complet :

http://www.livescience.com/researchinaction/ria-081017.html

A Hidden Industry: Mistreatment Plagues Kenya's Domestic Workers

Kenya's Domestic Workers Suffer at the Hands of Abusive Employers


LIRE ARTICLE COMPLET :

http://www.feed24.com/go?item_id=114064822

Eclectic Kenyan cuisine

KENYA is known for its amazing safari tours and coffee but not many are aware of its amazing cuisine.

Kenyan food differs according to its region. The food in the coastal area is influenced by Middle Eastern and Indian cooking styles.

As part of a trade route for centuries, rich curries and rice dishes (like coconut rice and briyani) are part of their diet. Pepper and chillies were introduced by traders and coconut milk is used liberally here.

As you go deeper, the food is influenced by the 40 ethnic groups living there. Kenyans also love freshwater fish which they get in abundance from Lake Victoria. Meats such as goat and beef are also aplenty.

The closest thing to a national dish that Kenyans enjoy is nyama choma which means roast meat. It is usually enjoyed with a local salsa-like accompaniment called kachumbri which is made of onions, garlic, green chilli and coriander.

For staples, the Kenyans enjoy a steamed white powdered maize called ugali. "They also like tubers like cassava, sweet potatoes and arrowroot," added Shailender.

We sampled dishes such as coconut crumbed fish; chicken in coastal coconut sauce (which is like chicken curry); the soft ugali which soaks up sauces; the tangy chicken wings tossed in Swahili sauce; tamarind marinated prawns; and also the Arab-influenced beef on bamboo sticks (like kebabs).

The dava (medicine), Kenya’s popular cocktail, which is a combination of vodka, wild honey, African lime and ice with a piece of sugar cane to swirl it with, is the drink to try.

Millions Face Starvation As Govt Sounds Famine Alert

As the World Food Day was being marked on Wednesday, multiple alarms were raised with regard to an impending famine later in the year.

The Government, on its part said an estimated 1.4 million people are faced with starvation if the short rains "fail or do not begin at the right time."

The warning comes after the Food and Agriculture Organisation warned of widespread hunger in the region due to climate change and the pressure on food due to bio-fuels.

The famine could last into mid next year.

.../... Suite : http://allafrica.com/stories/200810170060.html