Kokusai Hiroba Café -Around the World- Vol.76 Kenya & Nepal

Date

9^th July 2023 (Sun)

14：00－15：30

Venue

Online

Organizer

Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation

Fee

Free

Participants

45 people （including 3 supporters）　　　　　　  

Lecturers

Yumiko Nakahara（Kenya）      Devraj Upreti（Nepal）

Kokusai Hiroba Café -Around the World- Vol.76 Kenya & Nepal

Date

9^th July 2023 (Sun)

14：00－15：30

Venue

Online

Organizer

Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation

Fee

Free

Participants

45 people （including 3 supporters）　　　　　　  

Lecturers

Yumiko Nakahara（Kenya）      Devraj Upreti（Nepal）

◇Contents

14:00 ～14:03　Opening

14:03 ～15:03　Lecturers Introduce Kenya and Nepal

15:03 ～15:30  Question Time and Closing

（Introduction of each country）

　Kenya as introduced by Yumiko Nakahara：

1. There are 42 ethnic groups in Kenya, including Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Somali, Maasai, and others

2. Official Languages: Swahili, English

3. Largest Religions: Christianity, Islam

・Lecturer Nakahara introduced the Somali villagers living in the harsh north-western region of Kenya, who live in portable dwellings known as ‘manyatta’.

・The village in Kenya which Lecturer Nakahara visited is called ‘Galissa’ and she was there as a representative of the NGO, ‘Himawari no Kai’, which does charity work in Kenya and Somalia. Very little rain falls in the village, so most of the villagers’ homes are clustered around a small lake. As well as people, the water is also used by their goats, sheep, cows and camels, so as a result, the water is dangerously unhygienic, carrying risks of diarrhea, disease, and damage to the skin. In order to support childrens’ education in the area, the NGO built the Himawari Kindergarten and Elementary School, as well as providing textbooks and stationery as well.

・There is also a school meals program, and the Japanese government donates to the World Food Program as part of a scheme known as ‘ODA’.

・The village had no hospital, so it was visited by a travelling clinic. Although they would speak to the mothers about vaccinations, there was still a strong preference for traditional medicine and religious healing among many.

・The main role of most of the mothers and children is to collect water. It takes 4 hours to collect the water and come back, so most children do not have time to go to school.

・Lecturer Nakahara showed a video of a traditional Somalian dance which is performed by men, something she had the rare opportunity to see as a thank you for their organization building a hospital in the area. She also showed a video of elementary schoolers playing music.

  Nepal as introduced by Devraj Upreti:

1. Various Peoples in Nepal

There are people of various religions in Nepal. Around 80% of people are Hindu. Of the remaining 20%, there are also Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians.

2.Nepal’s Caste System Still Persists

Society in Nepal is split into 4 castes. Under law, the caste system has already been done away with, but a strong sense of the caste system still remains in society today.

3. Nepalese Cuisine

Staple foods include Dal (bean soup), Bhat (rice), Curried vegetables, and pickles. Nepalese cuisine tends to use various curry spices and garlic, onions, and tomatoes in its dishes.

4. Nepalese Festivals

①  Indra Jatra:

A Hindu festival that takes place around September. A huge festival is held in Kathmandu to pray to the god of harvests for rain. A girl is chosen to represent the goddess Kumari, and she travels through the streets on a festival float.

②  Dashain

Nepal’s biggest festival, which happens in October. The goddess Durga’s victory over evil is celebrated, and people pray for good harvests and wellbeing.

As well as the above, there are many other Hindu festivals held between October and

November each year.