Sahelanthropus tchadensis, Australopithecus africanus, A. afarensis, Homo erectus, H. habilis and H. ergaster— the earliest Homo sapiens (modern human) remains, found in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Morocco, date to circa 200,000, 259,000, and 300,000 years ago respectively, and Homo sapiens is believed to have originated in Africa around 350,000- 260,000 years ago. Early human civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt and Phoenicia emerged in North Africa. Following a subsequent long and complex history of civilizations, migration and trade, Africa hosts a large diversity of ethnicities, cultures and languages. The last 400 years have witnessed an increasing European influence on the continent. Starting in the 16th century, this was driven by trade, including the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which created large African diaspora populations in the Americas. In the late 19th century, European countries colonized almost all of Africa, extracting resources from the continent and exploiting local communities; most present states in Africa emerged from a process of decolonization in the 20th century. 7.2 AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND CAPITAL Country Capital city Country Capital city Algeria Algiers Madagascar Antananarivo Angola Luanda Malawi Lilongwe Benin Porto-Novo Mali Bamako Botswana Gaborone Mauritania Nouakchott Burkina Ouagadougou Mauritius Port Louis Faso Burundi Gitega Morocco Rabat 151 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Cabo Praia Mozambique Maputo Verde Cameroon Yaounde Namibia Windhoek Central Bangui Niger Niamey African Republic Chad N'Djamena Nigeria Abuja Rwanda Kigali Comoros Moroni Congo, Sao Tome Democratic São Tomé Kinshasa and Principe Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville Senegal Dakar Republic of the Cote Yamoussoukro Seychelles Victoria d'Ivoire Djibouti Djibouti (city) Sierra Leone Freetown Egypt Cairo Somalia Mogadishu Equatorial Oyala (seat of South Africa Pretoria (administrative), Guinea government) 152 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Eritrea Asmara Cape Town (legislative), Eswatini Mbabane (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial) (formerly Lobamba (legislative, South Sudan Juba Swaziland) royal) Ethiopia Addis Ababa Sudan Khartoum Gabon Libreville Tanzania Dodoma Gambia Banjul Togo Lomé Ghana Accra Tunisia Tunis Guinea Conakry Uganda Kampala Guinea- Bissau Zambia Lusaka Bissau Kenya Nairobi Zimbabwe Harare Lesotho Maseru Liberia Monrovia Libya Tripoli 7.3 PEOPLE Africa is now widely recognized as the birthplace of the Hominidae, the taxonomic family to which modern humans belong. Archaeological evidence indicates that the continent has been 153 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
inhabited by humans and their forebears for some 4,000,000 years or more. Anatomically modern humans are believed to have appeared as early as 200,000 years ago in the eastern region of sub-Saharan Africa. Somewhat later those early humans spread into northern Africa and the Middle East and, ultimately, to the rest of the world. Africa is the most tropical of all the continents; some four-fifths of its territory rests between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. As a consequence, the cultures and the physical variations of the peoples reflect adaptation to both hot, dry climates and hot, wet climates. Dark skin is the dominant characteristic of indigenous African peoples, but skin colour is not uniform. Skin colour shows a clinal variation from a light or tan colour in the northern fringe of the continent, which has a Mediterranean climate, to very dark skin in certain Sudanic regions in western and East Africa, where radiation from the Sun has been most intense. Africa has the most physically varied populations in the world, from the tallest peoples to the shortest; body form and facial and other morphological features also vary widely. It is the continent with the greatest human genetic variation, reflecting its evolutionary role as the source of all human DNA. Throughout human history there have been movements of peoples (see human migration) within, into, and out of Africa along its northern coasts, across the Sinai Peninsula, along the Red Sea, and especially in the Horn of Africa and coastal areas as far south as Southern Africa. North Africa from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Nile River delta has been the site of conquests and movements of peoples for thousands of years. Along the east coast, trading cities arose and fell, cities that had overseas contacts during the past two millennia with peoples of southern Arabia and as far east as India and Indonesia. Internal movements during that time contributed to the heterogeneity and complexity of native African societies. The greatest movement of peoples out of the continent was a result of the Atlantic slave trade that lasted from the 16th to the 19th century and involved the transport of an estimated 10,000,000 people to the New World. Such a loss of people, together with the devastating warfare and raiding associated with it, was the major cause of the subsequent weakness and decline of African societies. Whereas the majority of Africa’s peoples are indigenous, European colonial settlers constitute the largest majority of new peoples, with substantial numbers in Kenya, South 154 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique. Dutch settlers first arrived in South Africa in 1652; their descendants now constitute the main Afrikaner, or Boer, population. The vast majority of European settlers arrived after the 1885 Berlin West Africa Conference and the resulting “scramble for Africa,” during which European leaders carved out spheres of influence. Attendant, but unassociated, with the scramble, French and Italian settlers also established new communities in North Africa and, to some extent, western Africa. Much earlier, in several waves of migrations beginning in the 7th century, Arabs spread across northern Africa and, to a lesser extent, into western Africa, bringing a new religion (Islam) and a new language (Arabic), along with some new cultural and political institutions. They also spread Islam southward along the east coast, largely through trading and kinship relationships. (More detail is given in the regional history articles North Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Western Africa, and Eastern Africa.) The colonial era began to disintegrate in the 1950s. 7.4 CULTURE AREAS Although the precise number is unknown, there are several thousand different societies or ethnic groups in Africa. They are identified by their recognition of a common culture, language, religion, and history. But in some areas the boundaries among ethnic groups and communities (villages, towns, farm areas) may not always be clear to the outsider. Most Africans speak more than one language, and frequent migrations and interactions, including intermarriage, with other peoples have often blurred ethnic distinctions. There are an estimated 900 to 1,500 different languages, but many distinct political units share a common or similar language (as among the Yoruba, Hausa, and Swahili-speaking peoples). Complicating the situation in the 20th century was the creation of new “tribes” (such as the Zande [Azande] and Luo) that had not been distinct polities before the colonial era. Ethnic (cultural) identities in modern times have often been heightened, exacerbated, or muted for political reasons. In their attempts to comprehend such a huge heterogeneous continent, scholars have often tried to divide it into culture areas that represent important geographical and ecological circumstances. Those areas reflect differences in the cultural adaptation of traditional societies to varying natural habitats. For the purposes of this discussion, the principal regions 155 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
are northern, western, west-central, eastern, and Central and Southern Africa; Madagascar is also included. Languages The knowledge of most of the individual languages of Africa is still very incomplete, but there are known to be in excess of 1,500 distinct languages. Many attempts to classify them have been inadequate because of the great complexity of the languages and because of a confusion relating language, “race,” and economy; for example, there was once a spurious view of pastoralism as related to cultures whose members spoke “Hamitic” languages and were descendants of ancient Egyptians. One of the more recent attempts to classify all the African languages, prepared by the American linguist Joseph Greenberg, is based on the principles of linguistic analysis used for Indo-European languages rather than on geographic, ethnic, or other nonlinguistic criteria. The four main language families, or phyla, of the continent are now considered to be Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic, and Khoisan. Niger-Congo is the most widespread family and consists of nine branches: Kordofanian, Mande, Ijoid, Atlantic, Benue-Congo, Kru, Kwa, Gur, and Adamawa-Ubangi. Those languages cover most of Central and Southern Africa; they are found from Senegal to the Cape of Good Hope, with a geographically widespread extension due to relatively recent migrations. Kordofanian includes subgroups all spoken within a small area of southern Sudan. The most original point in that classification is the group called Benue-Congo, which linguistically subsumes all the Bantu languages found dispersed over most of eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. That dispersal is attributable to the rapid expansion of people from the area of the Bight of Benin from the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE onward: the vanguard, the Southern Bantoid speakers, had not reached the Cape of Good Hope when the Dutch arrived there in the 17th century. The close linguistic similarity among the Bantu languages points to the speed of that vast migration. Swahili, grammatically Bantu but with much Arabic in its vocabulary, is widely used as a lingua franca in eastern Africa; as the language of the people of Zanzibar and the east coast, it was spread by 19th-century Arab slavers in the hinterland as far as what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fula, an Atlantic language of the Niger-Congo family, also is used as a lingua franca in West Africa. 156 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
The Nilo-Saharan family classification is perhaps the most controversial—because of inadequate research—and the family is the most scattered. It comprises languages spoken along the savanna zone south of the Sahara from the middle Niger River to the Nile, with outlying groups among the pastoralists of eastern Africa. Its subgroups are Songhai, Saharan, Maban, Fur, Eastern Sudanic, Central Sudanic, Kunama, Berta, Komuz, and Kadu. The Afro-Asiatic family includes languages from both Africa and the Middle East: Semitic (including Arabic, Amharic, and Tigrinya), Egyptian (extinct), Amazigh (Berber), Cushitic, Chadic (e.g., Hausa), and Omotic. It is found over much of northern Africa and eastward to the Horn of Africa. Arabic is both an official and an unofficial language in states north of the Sahara, as well as in Sudan. In many other countries it is the language of Islam. Amharic is one of the two principal languages of Ethiopia. Hausa also is spoken widely as a lingua franca along the northern fringe of sub-Saharan western Africa, a wide area that encompasses many ethnic and political boundaries. The Khoisan family comprises the languages of the aboriginal peoples of Southern Africa, who now are limited largely to the arid parts of southwestern Africa, and perhaps of the outlying Hadza and Sandawe peoples of northern Tanzania. There are many widespread trade languages and lingua francas in addition to those mentioned above. Some, including English and French, were imported and used by administrators, missionaries, and traders during the colonial period. Some of those languages have become the national languages of independent nation-states, and, with the spread of formal education, they are gaining greater acceptance. Between the Sahara and the Zambezi River, either English or French is widely understood. French is an official language in the states that formerly made up French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa, as well as in Madagascar (Malagasy is also an official language) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Similarly, English is the official language or is widely spoken in the states of western, central, and eastern Africa formerly under British administration and is also the official language in Liberia. Portuguese is used officially and otherwise in the countries formerly under Portugal. In South Africa, English and Afrikaans (which developed from 17th-century Dutch by way of the descendants of European [Dutch, German, and French] colonists, indigenous Khoisan-speaking peoples, and African and Asian slaves) are among the many 157 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
official languages. Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, and other languages of the Indian subcontinent are spoken in the Asian communities. In western Africa, forms of creole (Krio) and pidgin are widespread in the coast towns of very heterogeneous ethnic composition. In Southern Africa, Fanagolo, a mixture of English and local Bantu tongue (notably Zulu), is still spoken in some mining areas. The great majority of African languages have no indigenous forms of writing. Several of them, however, were transcribed in the 20th century by missionary linguists, native speakers, and others. Many African languages (such as Swahili) have for centuries been written in Arabic script. The best-known exceptions to the Arabic writing system are those of the Vai of Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Mum of Cameroon, and the Tuareg and other Berber groups of the southern Sahara, all of whom invented their own scripts. 7.5 RELIGIONS In general, the peoples of northern Africa adhere predominantly to Islam and those in Southern Africa largely to Christianity, although their distributions are not discrete. For example, the Coptic church is found in Egypt and Ethiopia, and Islam is common along the coast of eastern Africa and is expanding southward in western Africa. Many of the Sudanic peoples—such as the Malinke, Hausa, Songhai, and Bornu—are Islamized, and the religion has also achieved substantial gains among such Guinea Coast people as the Yoruba of Nigeria and the Temne of Sierra Leone. Much conversion to Christianity also has occurred, most notably to Roman Catholicism and in the coastal regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In most of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa the people practice a variety of traditional religions, which have certain common features. All of those known include the notion of a high or creator God, remote from humans and beyond their comprehension or control. That God typically is not attributed a gender but in some cases is male or female; often God is given an immanent and visible aspect as well. The most important “spiritual” powers are usually associated with things or beings with which people have day-to-day contact or that they know from the past. Thus, there may be many kinds and levels of spirits of the air, of the earth, of rivers, and so on. There may be ancestors and ghosts of the dead who have achieved a partial 158 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
divinity, or there may be mythical heroes who led the people to their present land and founded their society as it is known today. The ritual functionaries found in most African societies include priests, lineage and clan elders, rainmakers, diviners, prophets, and others. Very few of those people are specialists; typically, they hold ritual authority by virtue of age, genealogy, or political office and are primarily responsible for the ritual well-being only of the members of the social groupings that they head; their congregations consist of their joint families, lineages, clans, local village communities, chieftaincies, or the like. Their ritual authority is thus a sanction for their secular and domestic authority. A central element of every indigenous African religion is its cosmology—which tells of tribal origins and early migrations and explains the basic ideological problems of any culture, such as the origin of death, the nature of society, the relationship of men and women and of living and dead, and so on. Social values are typically expressed in myths, legends, folktales, and riddles; the overt meanings of those various oral statements frequently conceal sociological and historical meanings not easily apparent to outsiders. In the past, witchcraft and sorcery were given widespread credence and served to explain or control the misfortunes of people who were aware of their lack of mastery and understanding of nature and society. Travelers’ tales of African people living in fear of witchcraft, however, were, of course, grossly exaggerated; the colonial powers usually assumed (incorrectly) that witch doctors were socially harmful and prohibited them. Although belief in witchcraft is receding, it is still important in both rural and urban areas, often serving as a means of explaining the misfortunes that beset urban dwellers and labour migrants who find themselves in new and confusing social milieus. There have been many cases in modern times of “epidemics” of beliefs in witches, and there have arisen a number of evanescent religions led by various kinds of prophets and evangelists. Such manias arise in periods of radical change and their resultant uncertainty and stress. Social and religious changes in Africa have often been accompanied by the appearance of prophets who advocate the expulsion of the Europeans or the eradication of epidemic diseases threatening the traditional ways of life. More recently, also, the spread of Christianity and, to a lesser extent, Islam has given rise to Christian prophets and to leaders of 159 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
separatist movements repudiating European-controlled mission churches for nationalistic, tribalistic, or racial reasons. Such prophets lead their own groups and establish their own churches, typically gaining new political power sanctioned by their presumed direct links with God. The new churches have been reported in almost all parts of the continent. 7.6 DOMESTIC GROUPINGS The forms of the family found in Africa are consistent with the forms of economic production. Throughout most of the rural areas the typical domestic group is the joint or extended family consisting of several generations of kin and their spouses, the whole being under the authority of the senior male. The size of the group varies, but it typically consists of three to five generations of kin. It provides a stable and long-lasting domestic unit able to work as a single cooperative group, to defend itself against others, and to care for all of its members throughout their lifetimes. Polygyny is traditionally widespread as an ideal, its extent depending on the status and wealth of the husband: chiefs and rulers need many wives to give them a mark of high position and to enable them to offer hospitality to their subjects. In most of Africa those residential groups are based on descent groups known as clans and lineages, the latter being segments of the former. The significance given to descent groups varies, but they are important in providing for heirs, successors, and marital partners. In the second half of the 20th century that pattern began to change—rapidly in the urban and poverty-stricken areas, more slowly in those areas less affected by economic and political development. In cities and in major labour-supplying areas, such as most of Southern Africa, the joint or extended family gave way to the independent nuclear family of husband, wife, and children. There is also a tendency toward the breakdown of family structure because of labour migration—the younger men moving to the cities, leaving women, older men, and children in the impoverished homelands. 7.6.1 Madagascar The island of Madagascar forms a distinct culture area. The various Malagasy ethnic groups, of which the politically most important is the Merina, are mainly of Indonesian origin, following migrations across the Indian Ocean probably during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The Malagasy language, spoken by virtually all of the island’s population, is classified as 160 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Austronesian. 7.7 SUMMARY Africa, the second largest continent (after Asia), covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Earth. The continent is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and on the south by the mingling waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Africa’s total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles (30,365,000 square km), and the continent measures about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) from north to south and about 4,600 miles (7,400 km) from east to west. Its northern extremity is Al-Ghīrān Point, near Al-Abyaḍ Point (Cape Blanc), Tunisia; its southern extremity is Cape Agulhas, South Africa; its farthest point east is Xaafuun (Hafun) Point, near Cape Gwardafuy (Guardafui), Somalia; and its western extremity is Almadi Point (Pointe des Almadies), on Cape Verde (Cap Vert), Senegal. In the northeast, Africa was joined to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula until the construction of the Suez Canal. Paradoxically, the coastline of Africa—18,950 miles (30,500 km) in length—is shorter than that of Europe, because there are few inlets and few large bays or gulfs. 7.8 KEYWORDS • A territory is an administrative division, usually an area that is under the jurisdiction of a state. • Homo erectus is an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, with its earliest occurrence about 2 Mya, and its specimens are among the first recognizable members of the genus • The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Arabia. Its connection to the ocean is in the south, through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. • Antifoul: applied to ship’s hull to prevent encrusting of barnacles, seaweed, and other marine organisms. 161 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
• Artefact: An object; an item of material culture. 7.9 LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. List and compare the cultural differences in African continents 2. Draw the religion pattern of African Countries. 7.10 UNIT END QUESTIONS A. Descriptive Type Questions 1. List down the capitals of different countries clubbed under Africa continent. 2. Describe the cultural aspects of African countries in detail. 3. Explain the demographic grouping in African countries. 4. Explain the role of Madagascar in African countries. 5. Discuss cultural life of African people. B. Multiple Choice Questions 1. The various Malagasy ethnic groups, of which the politically most important is the Merina, are mainly of Indonesian origin, following migrations across the Indian Ocean probably during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. a. Madagascar b. Cabo Verde c. Botswana 162 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
d. Burkina Faso 2. ……… was a Latin name used to refer to the inhabitants of then-known northern Africa to the west of the Nile river, and in its widest sense referred to all lands south of the Mediterranean (Ancient Libya). a. Aus. b. Afri c. Indiana d. None of these 3. ………… is considered by most paleoanthropologists to be the oldest inhabited territory on Earth, with the human species originating from the continent. a. India b. Africa c. America d. Egypt 4. Africa covers % of Earth's total surface area and _ of its land area a. 10,15 b. 6,20 c. 12,50 d. 10,12 163 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
5. Africa straddles the ……………. and encompasses numerous climate areas; it is the only continent to stretch from the northern temperate to southern temperate zones. a. Ozone layer b. Equator c. Hemisphere d. Tropical Answers 1.a 2.b 3.b 4.b 5.b 7.11 SUGGESTED READINGS • Asante, Molefi (2007). The History of Africa. US: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-77139- 9. • Clark, J. Desmond (1970). The Prehistory of Africa. London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-02069-2. • Crowder, Michael (1978). The Story of Nigeria. London: Faber. ISBN 978-0-571- 04947-9. • Davidson, Basil (1966). The African Past: Chronicles from Antiquity to Modern Times. Harmondsworth: Penguin. OCLC 2016817. • Khapoya, Vincent B. (1998). The African experience: an introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-745852-3. • Moore, Clark D., and Ann Dunbar (1968). Africa Yesterday and Today, in series, The George School Readings on Developing Lands. New York: Praeger Publishers. • Naipaul, V.S. The Masque of Africa: Glimpses of African Belief. Picador, 2010. ISBN 978-0-330-47205-0 164 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
UNIT 8: KENYA & SOUTH AFRICA 165 Structure 8.0. Learning Objectives 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Cultural life 8.2.1 Daily life and social customs 8.2.2 The arts 8.2.3 Cultural institutions 8.2.4 Sports and recreation 8.3. Major attractions 8.4. Introduction-South Africa 8.5. Cultural life 8.5.1 The arts 8.5.2 Music 8.5.3 Art 8.6. Major Attractions 8.7. Summary 8.8. Keywords 8.9. Learning Activity 8.10. Unit end Question 8.11. Suggested readings CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
8.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this Unit, you will be able: • Discuss the cultural and tourism scenario of Kenya and South African countries • Explain major attraction of Kenya and South African Countries • Describe life style of people in Kenya and South African Countries 8.1 INTRODUCTION- KENYA Kenya, country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries. Along that coast, which holds some of the finest beaches in Africa, are predominantly Muslim Swahili cities such as Mombasa, a historic center that has contributed much to the musical and culinary heritage of the country. Inland are populous highlands famed for both their tea plantations, an economic staple during the British colonial era, and their variety of animal species, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses. Kenya’s western provinces, marked by lakes and rivers, are forested, while a small portion of the north is desert and semidesert. The country’s diverse wildlife and panoramic geography draw large numbers of European and North American visitors, and tourism is an important contributor to Kenya’s economy. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi, a sprawling city that, like many other African metropolises, is a study in contrasts, with modern skyscrapers looking out over vast shantytowns in the distance, many harboring refugees fleeing civil wars in neighbouring countries. Older neighborhoods, some of them prosperous, tend to be ethnically mixed and well served by utilities and other amenities, while the tents and hastily assembled shacks that ring the city tend to be organized tribally and even locally, inasmuch as in some instances whole rural villages have removed themselves to the more promising city. With a long history of musical and artistic expression, Kenya enjoys a rich tradition of oral and written literature, including many fables that speak to the virtues of determination and perseverance, important and widely shared values, given the country’s experience during the struggle for independence. Kikuyu writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o, one of the country’s best- 166 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
known authors internationally, addresses these concerns in his remarks on one folkloric figure: Hare being small, weak, but full of innovative wit, was our hero. We identified with him as he struggled against the brutes of prey like lion, leopard, and hyena. His victories were our victories and we learnt that the apparently weak can outwit the strong. Kenya’s many peoples are well known to outsiders, largely because of the British colonial administration’s openness to study. Anthropologists and other social scientists have documented for generations the lives of the Maasai, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, and Kikuyu peoples, to name only some of the groups. Adding to the country’s ethnic diversity are European and Asian immigrants from many nations. Kenyans proudly embrace their individual cultures and traditions, yet they are also cognizant of the importance of national solidarity; a motto of “Harambee” (Swahili: “Pulling together”) has been stressed by Kenya’s government since independence. 8.2CULTURAL LIFE 8.2.1 Daily life and social customs As is true of many developing African countries, there is a marked contrast between urban and rural culture in Kenya. Attracting people from all over the country, Kenya’s cities are characterized by a more cosmopolitan population whose tastes reflect practices that combine the local with the global. Nairobi’s nightlife, for instance, caters to youth interested in music that varies from American rhythm and blues, hip-hop, and rock to Congolese rumba. The city contains movie theatres and numerous nightclubs where patrons can dance or shoot pool; for children there are water parks and family amusement centres. For all the modernization and urbanization of Kenya, however, traditional practices remain important. Rituals and customs are very well documented, owing to the intense anthropological study of Kenya’s peoples during the period of British colonial rule; oral literature is safeguarded, and several publishing houses publish traditional folktales and ethnographies. Kenyan cooking reflects British, Arab, and Indian influences. Foods common throughout 167 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Kenya include ugali, a mush made from corn (maize) and often served with such greens as spinach and kale. Chapati, a fried pitalike bread of Indian origin, is served with vegetables and stew; rice is also popular. Seafood and freshwater fish are eaten in most parts of the country and provide an important source of protein. Many vegetable stews are flavored with coconut, spices, and chilies. Although meat traditionally is not eaten every day or is eaten only in small quantities, grilled meat and all-you-can-eat buffets specializing in game, or “bush meat,” are popular. Many people utilize shambas (vegetable gardens) to supplement purchased foods. In areas inhabited by the Kikuyu, irio, a stew of peas, corn, and potatoes, is common. The Maasai, known for their herds of livestock, avoid killing their cows and instead prefer to use products yielded by the animal while it is alive, including blood drained from nonlethal wounds. They generally drink milk, often mixed with cow’s blood, and eat the meat of sheep or goats rather than cows. Urban life in Kenya is by no means uniform. For example, as a Muslim town, Mombasa stands in contrast to Nairobi. Although there are numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs in Mombasa, there are also many mosques, and women dressed in bui buis (loose-fitting garments that cover married Muslim women from head to toe) are common. Rural life is oriented in two directions—toward the lifestyles of rural inhabitants, who still constitute the majority of Kenya’s population, and toward foreign tourists who come to visit the many national parks and reserves. Although agricultural duties occupy most of the time of rural dwellers, they still find occasion to visit markets and shopping centres, where some frequent beer halls. Mobile cinemas also provide entertainment for the rural population. Kenya observes most Christian holidays, as well as the Muslim festival ʿId al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Jamhuri, or Independence Day, is celebrated on December 12. Moi Day (recognizing Daniel arap Moi) and Kenyatta Day, both in October, honour two of the country’s presidents, while Madaraka (Swahili: Government) Day (June 1) celebrates Kenya’s attainment of self-governance in 1964. 8.2.2 The arts The Kenya National Theatre, a part of the Kenya Cultural Centre, is the country’s premier venue for drama. The affiliated National Theatre School (founded 1968) provides 168 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
professional training for Kenyan playwrights and performers of traditional music and dance. Independent art facilities, such as the GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi, offer alternative spaces for artists to express themselves. Kenya’s pop music is among the most varied in Africa, drawing on diverse sources, including African rumba, traditional Indian musical forms, and a wide range of European and American styles. Popular since the 1960s is an indigenous pop style that emerged in the area around Lake Victoria inhabited by the Luo; called benga, it is perhaps the most distinctly Kenyan form in the musical repertoire. Taarab, a popular music of the eastern coastal region heavily influenced by Arabic styles, is also played throughout the country. Kenyan literature includes a large body of oral and written folklore, much of the latter collected by British anthropologists. During the colonial era, writers of European origin residing in Kenya, such as Elspeth Huxley (The Flame Trees of Thika, 1959) and Isak Dinesen (Out of Africa, 1937), introduced indigenous themes and settings to broad audiences. The Swahili literary tradition (see also Swahili literature), both oral and written, dates to the 18th century and is represented by authors such as Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy and Kupona Mwana. Contemporary novelists, including Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Grace Ogot, Meja Mwangi, Hilary Ngweno, Margaret Ogola, and R. Mugo Gatheru, address problems in colonial and postcolonial society. Many of these writers publish in English, although Thiong’o has insisted on publishing first in his native Kikuyu, saying: Only by a return to the roots of our being in the languages and cultures and heroic histories of the Kenyan people can we rise up to the challenge of helping in the creation of a Kenyan patriotic national literature and culture that will be the envy of many foreigners and the pride of Kenyans. Visual arts are largely confined to the mass production of wood sculpture and Maasai beadwork. Elimo Njau, Etale Sukuro, and Kivuthi Mbuno are noted Kenyan artists employing a variety of mediums. The country’s film industry is small but growing, though viewings of indigenous films are usually confined to theatres in the cities; in smaller towns and villages, film fare is likely to come from either Hollywood or India. Many foreign productions have been filmed in Kenya—such as Out of Africa (1985), To Walk with Lions (1999), Nowhere in Africa (2001), and The Constant Gardener (2005)—owing to its scenic, 169 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
varied landscapes and generally clement weather. 8.2.3 Cultural institutions Perhaps Kenya’s greatest cultural legacy is in its national parks and reserves. The annual wildebeest migration is best observed at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which also includes a Maasai village. Amboseli National Park, a former home of the Maasai, lies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Marsabit National Park and Reserve in the north is noted for its populations of large mammals such as lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, and giraffes. Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks are noted for their abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes. Mzima Springs, found in Tsavo West, are clear pools of fresh water that provide ideal conditions for viewing hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and fish. Sibiloi National Park, in the far northern part of the country, contains sites where scientists from the University of Nairobi (including Richard Leakey) have excavated hominid remains since 1968. Mount Kenya National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The Lake Turkana National Parks, comprising three national parks in Eastern province, were named World Heritage sites beginning in 1997. Lamu Old Town, in Coast province, contains beautiful examples of Swahili architecture; it became a World Heritage site in 2001. In 2008 the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests—several forests containing the remains of villages (kaya) once inhabited by the Mijikenda (Nyika) people and now considered sacred—were collectively designated a World Heritage site. The Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service in Nairobi, housed in a building that was originally the Bank of India, holds an increasing number of government and historical documents and also contains exhibits of arts and crafts and photographs. A national library service board has been established to equip, maintain, and develop libraries in Kenya, including a branch library service. The McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi has holdings of books as well as newspapers and a parliamentary archive. The National Museum, also in Nairobi, contains archaeological remains and objects of traditional material culture. 8.2.4 Sports and recreation Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Kenya, although the national team, the Harambee Stars, has had little international success. Basketball, volleyball, and netball are 170 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
also popular sports. Social clubs often offer the opportunity for Kenyans to play football and volleyball. Netball is played exclusively by women. Internationally, Kenyan athletes are known for their dominance of distance running. Since the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, at which Kip Keino, Naftali Temu, and Amos Biwott all won gold medals, Kenyan distance runners have continually won Olympic medals and major races throughout the world. Catherine Ndereba, for example, repeatedly won marathons in Boston and Chicago. 8.3MAJOR ATTRACTION OF KENYA THE ABERDARES THE ABERDARES are a beautiful mountain range in the central highlands of Kenya, for the most part, over 3000m (10, 000ft) in altitude. Within the heart of these mountains is the Aberdares National Park, a magical place of dense forest, and misty moorlands, where icy rivers plunge in glorious cascades and waterfalls. This area is rich in wildlife. Amongst a variety of mammals more commonly seen are elephant, buffalo, rhino, forest-hog, colobus and Sykes monkeys and a wide variety of antelope including the legendary and rare bongo. Birdlife is abundant and varied. 200 species have been recorded, perhaps the most conspicuous group of which is the sunbirds. Birds of prey such as the crowned eagle, mountain buzzard and African goshawk are of special interest. A game viewing drive, possibly en route to Treetops or the Ark, is a worthwhile inclusion. ABERDARE COUNTRY CLUB - A romantic, quiet and relaxing getaway with a game sanctuary. Guests stay in cozy grey stone cottages nestling among lush gardens. THE ARK - An architectural masterpiece standing high above ground in a secluded forest glade where viewing of wildlife takes place at close range. Not recommended for children. TREETOPS - Overlooking water-holes and a salt lick, this is a functional lookout lodge solely dedicated to game viewing at close range. AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK lies below the most famous symbol of Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro 5, 895m (19, 340 ft) the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. The surrounding area is flat, covered by savannah and acacia scrub 171 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
and the animals stand in silhouette against this towering majestic giant, its snow-clad peak floating in the stark blue African sky. A large part of the park consists of the alluvial dried-up bed of the seasonal Lake Amboseli, which in the rainy season can transform into a shallow flood whilst the dry season brings strange mirages above the lake's dry shimmering surface. Towards the center of the park are a series of swamps, fed by the underground rivers running off the mountain. It is here, closer to the water, that the concentration of wildlife intensifies, from the ever-present ponderous herds of elephant to abundant birdlife. This includes a wide variety of waterbirds such as grey heron, saddle bill stork, Egyptian goose as well as long- toed lapwing., yellow throated sand grouse and up to 6 species of vulture. The rare Madagascar Squacco Heron is a frequent visitor. Other game frequently seen include buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, Maasai giraffe, lion and cheetah. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE is situated to the west of Nairobi, on Tanzania's northern border. This 1, 812 km² (700 sq. miles) Reserve is the northern extension of the larger Serengeti National Park - a massive 56, 000 km² (5, 600 sq. miles). The Masai Mara offers wonderful scenery and an abundance of big game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. It is a reserve of breathtaking vistas, panoramas of vast rolling plains, hills and woodland groves, well-watered by the lovely Mara River which bisects the Reserve from north to south. The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in Kenya, these magnificent beasts spending most of the day sleeping in the shade of acacia trees. Vast herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest roam the plains. Impala, gazelle, giraffe and hartebeest grace the landscape, the cautious topi may also be seen standing sentinel on earth mounds on constant look-out for predators. The waters of the Mara River are home to crocodiles and pools of hippo, the acacia woodlands and riverine forests favored by leopard and elephant, and the open savannah and dry bush areas host to the plains game and their attendant predators such as lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal. The birdlife of the Mara is as profuse as the animal life. On the open plains there is a variety 172 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
of bustards and ground hornbills. Birds of prey are abundant - no less than 53 species have been recorded, including the magnificent Bateleur eagle. In the sky there are always opportunistic vultures circling and waiting in anticipation, and distinctive secretary birds are a common sight as they stalk sedately over the open plains. WILDEBEEST MIGRATION The wildebeest migration takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as the seasons change. The precise timing of the Wildebeest Migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between the months of January and mid-March before the Wildebeest Migration begins heading towards the Western Serengeti in June. The best time to see the migration is usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the famous Grumeti River. If you are in the Masai Mara you can expect the wildebeest to make their arrival as early as July, but they generally arrive between August and September and remain in the Mara between October and November. Between December and January, the wildebeest gradually begin their migration back towards the Serengeti. As this is a natural phenomenon, the monthly migration patterns can change from year to year and this is to be used as a general guide. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK Situated between Lakes Naivasha and Baringo, beneath the high cliffs of the Eastern Rift, lies Lake Nakuru. This is a shallow soda lake surrounded by yellow-barked acacia woodland and grasslands, rocky cliffs and hillsides covered with the unusual giant Euphorbia trees. Lake Nakuru is world famous as the home of myriad flocks of greater and lesser flamingoes which frequently form a stunning pink ribbon along the edges of the lake. But flamingoes are unpredictable and are not always found here in such vast numbers - they migrate up and down the Rift Valley from Natron to Turkana in search of the best food supply. An entertaining spectacle is the large flocks of pelicans found fishing and washing at the southern end of the Lake. Over 400 species of birdlife have been recorded at the lake, making this yet another of Kenya's major ornithological sites. 173 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
In addition to the birdlife, the park is home to herds of buffalo, waterbuck, impala, Rothschild giraffe, and leopard. A defined area of the park has now been designated a rhino sanctuary. KIGIO WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY Kigio Wildlife Conservancy is a noteworthy 3, 500-acre conservancy between Nakuru and Naivasha in Kenya. The beautiful Conservancy with its wide-ranging habitats, from riverine and euphorbia woodlands to short grass and Leleshwa shrub, holds approx. 3, 500 heads of wildlife (including the endangered White Rhino and Rothschild Giraffe, a 200 strong herd of buffalo, impala, Grants and Thomson's gazelle, eland, hyena, leopard, hippo and over 200 bird species) which are protected by an electric fence on three sides and the Malewa River on one. The Conservancy's rich bio-diversity has been recognized internationally by Tusk Trust, Born Free Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and several private donors who have provided funds to improve the infrastructure in the conservancy and to help wildlife conservation and surrounding communities. The Conservancy is at the forefront of Eco-tourism in the Rift Valley lakes area. SAMBURU & BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVES Rugged and remote, these wildlife reserves lie within the fascinating semi-desert area of Kenya's Northern Frontier District. The Samburu National Reserve - a lava plain with steep-sided gullies and rounded hills - is physically dramatic with the great Ololokwe Table Mountain in the background. The central feature of the reserve is the winding and looping Ewaso Nyiro river. On either side of the river, a green ribbon presents a gallery of forest acacia, doum palm and Tamarind, which act as host to a multitude of birdlife. Some of Kenya's rarer species like the long-necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and blue-shanked Somali ostrich can be seen here. The Buffalo Springs Reserve butts onto Samburu in the south and is more or less an extension of the same kind of environment. However, as the name implies, the major source of relief in this reserve is an outflow of clear spring water which attracts migrant game and predators from miles around. This reserve is bounded in the north by the Ewaso Nyiro which 174 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
doesn't reach the sea but buries itself into the Lorien Swamp to the east. THE GLORIOUS COAST Silver white sandy beaches - fringed with palms, casaurinas, bright bougainvillea, mangrove swamps and magical creeks, all washed by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The air is scented with the sweetness of frangipani and refreshed by gentle monsoon breezes. Welcome to the exotic paradise of Kenya's 480-kilometer-long coast. Gazing calmly out across magical coral reefs to the open sea, this is one of the most idyllic resort areas in the world. Most come to enjoy the simple pleasures of this sun, sand and water wonderland. For those inclined to snorkel or scuba dive, the reefs, coral gardens and lagoons are some of the most beautiful. For much of its length, from Malindi in the north to Vanga in the south, the shore is protected by the fascinating coral reef. Inside this protected environment in sheltered lagoons grow magical marine plants and other creatures and contains over 250 brilliantly coloured species of fish. National marine parks off Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Shimoni protect these reefs and the waters they embrace. Mombasa is the old and colourful gateway to Kenya and is a vibrant mixture of the ancient and modern, with an interesting blend of African, Arab and Asian cultures. This beautiful port, evocative of the east, is actually an island. Fringing the dhow harbour is the old town, a maze of narrow streets, quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The ancient Portuguese 'Fort Jesus' still stands sentinel - now a fine museum of antiques. The experience of Mombasa somehow isn't quite complete without a trip aboard the exclusive Tamarind Dhow. 8.4INTRODUCTION – SOUTH AFRICA South Africa, the southernmost country on the African continent, renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favoured destination for travelers since the legal ending of apartheid (Afrikaans: “apartness,” or racial separation) in 1994. South Africa’s remoteness—it lies thousands of miles distant from major African cities such 175 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
as Lagos and Cairo and more than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) away from most of Europe, North America, and eastern Asia, where its major trading partners are located—helped reinforce the official system of apartheid for a large part of the 20th century. With that system, the government, controlled by the minority white population, enforced segregation between government-defined races in housing, education, and virtually all spheres of life, creating in effect three nations: one of whites (consisting of peoples primarily of British and Dutch [Boer] ancestry, who struggled for generations to gain political supremacy, a struggle that reached its violent apex with the South African War of 1899–1902); one of blacks (consisting of such peoples as the San hunter-gatherers of the northwestern desert, the Zulu herders of the eastern plateaus, and the Khoekhoe farmers of the southern Cape regions); and one of “Coloureds” (mixed-race people) and ethnic Asians (Indians, Malays, Filipinos, and Chinese). The apartheid regime was disdained and even vehemently opposed by much of the world community, and by the mid-1980s South Africa found itself among the world’s pariah states, the subject of economic and cultural boycotts that affected almost every aspect of life. During this era the South African poet Mongane Wally Serote remarked, There is an intense need for self-expression among the oppressed in our country. When I say self-expression, I don’t mean people saying something about themselves. I mean people making history consciously…. We neglect the creativity that has made the people able to survive extreme exploitation and oppression. People have survived extreme racism. It means our people have been creative about their lives. Eventually forced to confront the untenable nature of ethnic separatism in a multicultural land, the South African government of F.W. de Klerk (1989–94) began to repeal apartheid laws. That process in turn set in motion a transition toward universal suffrage and a true electoral democracy, which culminated in the 1994 election of a government led by the black majority under the leadership of the long-imprisoned dissident Nelson Mandela. As this transition attests, the country has made remarkable progress in establishing social equity in a short period of time. South Africa has three cities that serve as capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial). Johannesburg, the largest urban area in the country and a center of commerce, lies at the heart of the populous Gauteng province. Durban, a port 176 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
on the Indian Ocean, is a major industrial center. East London and Port Elizabeth, both of which lie along the country’s southern coast, are important commercial, industrial, and cultural centres. Today South Africa enjoys a relatively stable mixed economy that draws on its fertile agricultural lands, abundant mineral resources, tourist attractions, and highly evolved intellectual capital. Greater political equality and economic stability, however, do not necessarily mean social tranquility. South African society at the start of the 21st century continued to face steep challenges: rising crime rates, ethnic tensions, great disparities in housing and educational opportunities, and the AIDS pandemic. 8.5CULTURAL LIFE It also provides lessons in how cultures can sometimes blend, sometimes collide; for example, within a short distance of one another can be found the villas of South Africa’s white elite and the tar-paper shacks of black day labourers, office buildings with the most sophisticated electronic wiring and one-room houses that lack electricity. A great gulf still exists between the white minority and the black majority in matters of education and economic opportunity. Yet, South Africa is making steady progress in erasing some of these historic disparities and their consequences. Daily life is better for most of its people, and culture and the arts, which sometimes were forced into exile, are flourishing in the free climate of the post-apartheid era. 8.5.1 The arts A century and a half of white domination in most of the country (more than three centuries in the Western Cape) and the great extent of its ties to the global market economy have profoundly transformed black culture in South Africa. The strongest links to traditional societies have been through the many languages embodying the country’s cultural diversity, whose nuances of idiom and sensibility carry over into the arts. Traditional art forms such as dancing and textile weaving are used as vehicles of ethnic identity and are carefully preserved, while modern art forms from painting to literature have flourished in the years since the end of apartheid. Still, much of this has taken place through private initiatives because major institutional support for culture has been largely abandoned, especially for 177 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
cultural projects perceived as elitist or European in orientation; the closing of the National Symphony Orchestra in 2000 is one such example. 8.5.2 Music Many popular South African arts represent a fusion of cultural influences, such as township jazz and pop music, religious choral music, and so-called “traditional” dances performed competitively by mine workers in decidedly untraditional settings. Others are innovations created in response to new circumstances, such as the lifela song-poems composed by Sotho migrant workers to express and comment upon the life of miners. Because miners were frequently so far away from home, traditional rituals had to be performed during the weekends or on holidays. Mining companies often sponsored dances as an outlet for the men, and tourists came to view the exotic African musical forms. South African music is a fusion of various musical styles such as traditional indigenous music, jazz, Christian religious music, and forms of popular music from the United States. These combinations are evident in the music of such performers as the African Jazz Pioneers, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and others. During the apartheid period, black and white musicians were segregated, although they still collaborated on occasion; a notable example is Johnny Clegg, a white South African who learned traditional Zulu music and formed the mixed-race bands Juluka and Savuka, both of which had international followings. Township music, a lively form of music that flourished in the townships during the apartheid era, has also been popular within the country and abroad. 8.5.3 Art Rock and cave art attributable to the San, some of which is thought to be about 26,000 years old, has been found across much of Southern Africa. The greatest number of paintings, which primarily depict human figures and such animals as elands, elephants, cattle, and horses, have been found in the Drakensberg mountains (part of uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000). Terra-cotta figures dated to AD 500 are known as Lydenburg heads, named after the town in which they were discovered. Excavations at Bambandyanalo and Mapungubwe in the Limpopo River valley have found gold animal statues as well as a wealth of pottery and clay animal figurines. More recently, Zulu wooden 178 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
statues, produced in the 19th century before the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), are further examples of South Africa’s artistic history. 8.6MAJOR ATTRACTIONS – SOUTH AFRICA South Africa is diverse and beautiful country, about the size of France and Spain combined or roughly twice the size of Texas. Its varied cultures, intriguing wildlife, stunning scenery, and remarkable beaches make it a haven for travelers from around the world. Visitors quickly discover that the rich history and colorful inhabitants ideally complement the top tourist attractions in South Africa, which creates an unforgettable experience. Sun City Resort Known regionally as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, Sun City Resort is a luxury casino and resort, situated about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The complex contains four hotels, two championship golf courses, two casinos, an atmospheric South African cultural village and more than 7000 crocodiles within a sanctuary. The adjacent Pilanesberg Game Reserve is the most popular public Game Reserve in South Africa. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve As the only park under a formal conservation effort in KwaZulu Natal where you can see the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve offers visitors wildlife viewing opportunities second to none. Wildlife enthusiasts may enjoy the vast expanses of native plants and native animals during guided walks, self- guided drives, or opt for a thrilling viewing experience by boat along the Hluhluwe dam. Blyde River Canyon Blyde River Canyon is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon, although it is much greener due to its lush subtropical foliage. Walking treks through the rich diversity of flora and fauna filled canyon offer views of magnificent escarpments, waterfalls and ancient geological phenomenon. Visitors have the opportunity to encounter all five of South Africa’s primates here, as well as hippos and crocodiles near the wetlands of Swadini Dam. Cape Winelands 179 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
The fertile valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by majestic mountains, sleepy villages, brilliant monuments, fruitful orchards and some of the lushest scenery in South Africa. Visitors can follow the Wine Routes of the Cape to visit the vineyards of the country’s finest winemakers, whose sherries, ports, brandies and intriguing whites and reds are world famous for their delicate flavors and savory palatability. Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Find Hotels As one of Cape Town’s largest tourist attractions and most visited destinations, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront invokes images of the earliest days of the harbor. Situated within an entertainment mecca filled with restaurants, specialty shops, pubs, and theaters, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Beyond amusements, there are also some attractions including the infamous Clock Tower, Chavonnes Battery, the South African Maritime Museum and the coastal Seal Landing where Cape Fur Seals reside. Knysna The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay to St Francis along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland. A trove of indigenous canopied forests, mountains, rivers, tranquil lakes and golden beaches grace this extensive South Africa region. One of the Garden Route’s best known travel destinations, Knysna is situated between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon. Extensive opportunities for outdoor adventure are easily accessible in Knysna, as well as plenty of leisurely strolling paths filled with authentic dining and shopping venues. Visiting the heads – two cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon – is a must, and each one offers spectacular views of the adjacent colorful cliffs and the brilliant lagoon where seasonal whale watching is top-notch. Durban Beaches Often compared to Miami Beach, Durban’s beaches provide a vibrant atmosphere that pulses with energy. Boasting balmy weather year-round and sporting a genuine beach culture, Durban beaches are lively areas that are remarkably clean and safe, and many of the beaches offer varietal entertainments throughout the day. Also known as the Golden Mile, there are expansive stretches of soft, golden sands and subtropical sunshine along Durban’s South and 180 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
North Coast beaches. Amphitheatre, Drakensberg The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to 3,482 meters (11,420 ft) in height. The name is derived from the dutch and means “dragons mountain”. The Amphitheatre is one of the geographical features of the Northern Drakensberg, and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive cliffs faces on earth. Table Mountain Situated within a national park, reaching the pinnacle of the Table Mountain is a thrilling experience that offers phenomenal, birds-eye views overlooking the city of Cape Town, Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south. Peaking at 1,086 meters (3,563 ft), reaching the top is simple via an ingenuous cableway, and each Rot air car features revolving floors allowing passengers to enjoy 360-degree views during the trek to the top. Kruger National Park The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve on the continent and one the main tourist attractions in South Africa. The park boasts more species of mammals than any other African game reserve which includes the Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes and more. Unlike most other safari parks, Kruger is a self-drive destination with an excellent infrastructure and many places to stay inside the park, from tented camps to luxury lodges. 8.7SUMMARY Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture. The Kenya Tourism Board is responsible for maintaining information pertaining to tourism in Kenya South Africa is a tourist destination and the industry accounts for a substantial amount of the country's revenue. The official marketing agency for the country South African Tourism is responsible for marketing South Africa to the world. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the tourism industry directly contributed ZAR 102 billion to South African GDP in 2012, and supports 10.3% of jobs in the country. The official national marketing 181 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
agency of the South African government, with the goal of promoting tourism in South Africa both locally and globally is known as South African Tourism. 8.8KEYWORDS • The culture of South Africa: is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. The South African majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished lives. • Attraction: a natural or man-made facility, location, or activity which offers items of specific interest to tourists. • Auditing: A process to measure and verify the practices of a business. • Back-to-back: term used to describe tours operating on a consistent, continuing basis, usually without time between. • Backpacker: A visitor, for the purpose of a holiday or special event, who stays in a backpacker’s lodge/hostel. 8.9LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. List and compare the most visited tourists’ places of Kenya. 2. Study and Prepare language difference of South Africa. 8.10UNIT END QUESTIONS 182 A. Descriptive Type Questions 1. Explain the cultural life of people in Kenya? CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
2. Explain the art culture of South Africa. 3. Discuss the cultural institutionsin Kenya 4. Why Kruger national park is famous in South Africa? 5. Discuss the significance of Table Mountain in South Africa. B. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Tourism in …………… is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture. a. Egypt b. Kenya c. Africa d. America 2. The.……… is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to 3,482 meters (11,420 ft) in height? a. Drakensberg b. Table Mountain c. Alpes d. None of these 3. The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay to St Francis along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland. a. Durban beaches 183 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
b. Knysna c. Cape winelands d. Bylde river 4. Silver white sandy beaches - fringed with palms, casuarinas, bright bougainvillea, mangrove swamps and magical creeks, all washed by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean a. The glorious cost b. City resort c. Durban beached d. National park 5. …………….is a noteworthy 3, 500-acre conservancy between Nakuru and Naivasha in Kenya. a. Kigio Wildlife Conservancy b. The glorious cost c. City resort d. Durban beached Answers 1.b 2. a 3.b 4.a 5.a 8.11SUGGESTED READINGS • \"Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2013 South Africa\" (PDF). WTTC. March 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 184 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
• \"Cabinet appoints new SA Tourism Board\". Daily Southern & East African Tourism Update. Retrieved 10 December 2018. • \"Tourism and Migration, August 2017\". Statistics South Africa. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017. • South Africa: A Narrative History. Frank Welsh. Kodansha America. 1999. 606 pages. ISBN 1-56836-258-7. • South Africa in Contemporary Times. Godfrey Mwakikagile. New Africa Press. 2008. 260 pages. ISBN 978-0-9802587-3-8. • The Atlas of Changing South Africa. A. J. Christopher. 2000. 216 pages. ISBN 0-415- 21178-6. • The Politics of the New South Africa. Heather Deegan. 2000. 256 pages. ISBN 0-582- 38227-0. • Twentieth-Century South Africa. William Beinart Oxford University Press 2001, 414 pages, ISBN 0-19-289318-1 185 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
UNIT 9: EGYPT, MAURITIUS AND SEYCHELLES Structure 9.0. Learning Objectives 9.1. Introduction–Egypt 9.2. Cultural life 9.2.1 The arts 9.2.2 Cultural institutions 9.3. Major attractions of Egypt 9.3.1 Valley of the Kings 9.3.2 River Nile Cruise 9.3.3 Red Sea Reef 9.3.4 Karnak 9.3.5 Giza Necropolis 9.4. Introduction-South Africa Mauritius 9.5. Cultural life 9.5.1 The arts and cultural institutions 9.6. Major attractions 9.6.1 Trou Aux Biches - A Place Where You'll Lose Yourself 9.6.2 Belle Mare Plage - Enjoy Sunrise Amidst Greenery 9.6.3 Ile Aux Cerfs - Perfect Weekend Getaway 9.6.4 La Cambuse - Swim Your Heart Out 186 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
9.7. Seychelles. 9.8. Cultural life- Seychelles. 9.9. Major attractions-Seychelles. 9.9.1 Anse Intendance, Mahé 9.9.2 Anse Lazio, Praslin 9.9.3 Baie Lazare, Mahé 9.9.4 La Digue Island 9.9.5 Curieuse Island Day Trip 9.10. Summary 9.11. Keywords 9.12. Learning Activity 9.13. Unit end Question 9.14. Suggested readings 9.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVE After studying this Unit, you will be able: • Outline the knowledge of tourism prospects of Egypt, Mauritius and Seychelles • Discuss major attraction of Egypt, Mauritius and Seychelles • Explain cultural life of Egypt, Mauritius and Seychelles 9.1 INTRODUCTION- EGYPT Egypt, country located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East and, like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s earliest urban and 187 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
literate societies. Pharaonic Egypt thrived for some 3,000 years through a series of native dynasties that were interspersed with brief periods of foreign rule. After Alexander the Great conquered the region in 323 BC, urban Egypt became an integral part of the Hellenistic world. Under the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty, an advanced literate society thrived in the city of Alexandria, but what is now Egypt was conquered by the Romans in 30 BC. It remained part of the Roman Republic and Empire and then part of Rome’s successor state, the Byzantine Empire, until its conquest by Arab Muslim armies in AD 639–642. Until the Muslim conquest, great continuity had typified Egyptian rural life. Despite the incongruent ethnicity of successive ruling groups and the cosmopolitan nature of Egypt’s larger urban centres, the language and culture of the rural, agrarian masses—whose lives were largely measured by the annual rise and fall of the Nile River, with its annual inundation—had changed only marginally throughout the centuries. Following the conquests, both urban and rural culture began to adopt elements of Arab culture, and an Arabic vernacular eventually replaced the Egyptian language as the common means of spoken discourse. Moreover, since that time, Egypt’s history has been part of the broader Islamic world, and though Egyptians continued to be ruled by foreign elite—whether Arab, Kurdish, Circassian, or Turkish—the country’s cultural milieu remained predominantly Arab. Egypt eventually became one of the intellectual and cultural centres of the Arab and Islamic world, a status that was fortified in the mid-13th century when Mongol armies sacked Baghdad and ended the ʿAbbāsid caliphate. The Mamlūk sultans of Egypt, under whom the country thrived for several centuries, established a pseudo-caliphate of dubious legitimacy. But in 1517 the Ottoman Empire defeated the Mamlūks and established control over Egypt that lasted until 1798, when Napoleon I led a French army in a short occupation of the country. The French occupation, which ended in 1801, marked the first time a European power had conquered and occupied Egypt, and it set the stage for further European involvement. Egypt’s strategic location has always made it a hub for trade routes between Africa, Europe, and Asia, but this natural advantage was enhanced in 1869 by the opening of the Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The concern of the European powers (namely France and the United Kingdom, which were major shareholders in the canal) to 188 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
safeguard the canal for strategic and commercial reasons became one of the most important factors influencing the subsequent history of Egypt. The United Kingdom occupied Egypt in 1882 and continued to exert a strong influence on the country until after World War II (1939– 45). In 1952 a military coup installed a revolutionary regime that promoted a combination of socialism and Pan-Arab nationalism. The new regime’s extreme political rhetoric and its nationalization of the Suez Canal Company prompted the Suez Crisis of 1956, which was only resolved by the intervention of the United States and the Soviet Union, whose presence in the Mediterranean region thereafter kept Egypt in the international spotlight. During the Cold War, Egypt’s central role in the Arabic-speaking world increased its geopolitical importance as Arab nationalism and inter-Arab relations became powerful and emotional political forces in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt led the Arab states in a series of wars against Israel but was the first of those states to make peace with the Jewish state, which it did in 1979. Egypt’s authoritarian political system was long dominated by the president, the ruling party, and the security services. With opposition political activity tightly restricted, decades of popular frustration erupted into mass demonstrations in 2011. The uprising forced Pres. Ḥosnī Mubarak to step down, leaving a council of military officers in control of the country. Power was transferred to an elected government in 2012, and a new constitution was adopted at the end of the year. This elected government, however, was toppled a year later when the military intervened to remove the newly elected president, Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, following a series of massive public demonstrations against his administration. (For a discussion of unrest and political change in Egypt in 2011, see Egypt Uprising of 2011.) The ancient Greek historian Herodotus called Egypt the “gift of the Nile.” Indeed, the country’s rich agricultural productivity—it is one of the region’s major food producers—has long supported a large rural population devoted to working the land. Present-day Egypt, however, is largely urban. The capital city, Cairo, is one of the world’s largest urban agglomerations, and manufacturing and trade have increasingly outstripped agriculture as the largest sectors of the national economy. Tourism has traditionally provided an enormous 189 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
portion of foreign exchange, but that industry has been subject to fluctuations during times of political and civil unrest in the region. 9.2 CULTURAL LIFE In spite of the many ancient civilizations with which it has come into contact, Egypt unquestionably belongs to a social and cultural tradition that is Arab and Islamic. This tradition remains a constant factor in determining how Egyptians view both themselves and the world. The story of the cultural development of modern Egypt is, in essence, the response of this traditional system to the intrusion, at first by conquest and later by the penetration of ideas, of an alien and technology-oriented society of the West. This response covered a broad spectrum—from the rejection of new ideas and reversion to traditionalisms through self- examination and reform to the immediate acceptance of new concepts and the values that went with them. The result has been the emergence of a cultural identity that has assimilated much that is new, while remaining distinctively Egyptian. The process is at work in all branches of contemporary culture. 9.2.1 The arts Egypt is one of the Arab world’s literary centres and has produced many of modern Arabic literature’s foremost writers. The impact of the West is one of the recurring themes in the modern Egyptian novel, as in Tawfīq Ḥakīm’s Bird of the East (1943) and Yaḥyā Ḥaqqī’s novella The Lamp of Umm Hashim (1944). A further theme is that of the Egyptian countryside—depicted romantically at first, as in Muḥammad Ḥusayn Haykal’s Zaynab (1913), and later realistically, as in ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Sharqāwī’s The Land (1954) and The Peasant (1968) and in Yūsuf Idrīs’s Al-Ḥarām (1959; “The Forbidden”). A capacity to catch the colour of life among the urban poor is a characteristic quality of the early and middle work of Egypt’s greatest modern novelist, Naguib Mahfouz (Najīb Maḥfūẓ), notably in Midaq Alley (1947). Mahfouz later won the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Cairo Trilogy (1956–57). Egyptian novelists continued to enjoy critical and popular success in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with authors such as Sonallah Ibrahim, Nawal El Saadawi, Bahaa Taher, and Alaa Al Aswany rising to international prominence. 190 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
9.2.2 Cultural institutions The oldest secular learned academy in Egypt, the Institut d’Égypte, was founded in 1859, but its antecedents go back to the institute established by Napoleon in 1798. The institute was badly damaged by a fire during the uprising against Pres. Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and thousands of historic books and documents were destroyed. It reopened a year later. The Academy of the Arabic Language (1932), which was presided over by the veteran educator Taha Husayn, became, in terms of prestige and influence, one of the most important cultural institutions in Egypt. 9.3 MAJOR ATTRACTIONS OF EGYPT Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world’s most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramids, the Great Sphinx and the ancient temples of Luxor dating back thousands of years. Although focus of most tourist visits remains the great monuments along the Nile, possibilities for Egyptian travel also includes snorkeling and diving along the Red Sea coast. Other tourist attractions in Egypt include camel trips into the mountains of Sinai, tours to remote oases or visits to the Coptic monasteries of the Eastern Desert. 9.3.1 Valley of the Kings The Valley of the Kings near Luxor is a valley where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and privileged nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley contains 63 tombs and chambers, ranging in size from a simple pit to a complex tomb with over 120 chambers. The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. All of the tombs seem have been opened and robbed in antiquity except for the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. 9.3.2 River Nile Cruise Cruising the Nile is a popular way of visiting upper Egypt. The Nile River has been Egypt’s lifeline since ancient times and there is no better way to trace the passage of Egypt’s history than to follow the course of the Nile. Almost all Egyptian cruise ships travel the Luxor- Aswan route which is safe, scenic and terminates at two of Egypt’s most important towns. 191 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Taking a Felucca down the Nile is an adventurous option. Feluccas are sail boats that have been used on the Nile since antiquity. A Felucca is not quite as comfortable as a luxury cruise ship but nothing can beat sailing in a quiet rig that was designed thousands of years ago. 9.3.3 Red Sea Reef The Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt, is one of the most beautiful places in the world to go diving. The waters of the Red Sea are renowned for their spectacular visibility and features some of the most exotic seascapes. With its wide expanse of coral formation on the reefs, it is home to thousands of different sea creatures. Red Sea beach resorts are located on both sides of the sea, on the east side and part of the Sinai peninsula is the long established Sharm el Sheikh and its neo-hippy counterpart, Dahab. On the west coast of the Red Sea lies relatively old and touristy Hurghada and a cluster of new resort towns. 9.3.4 Karnak Although badly ruined, few sites in Egypt are more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest ancient religious site ever built, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of Egyptian builders. The Temple of Karnak actually consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about 2.5 kilometers north of Luxor. One of most famous structures of Karnak is the Hypostyle Hall, a hall area of 5,000 m2 (50,000 sq ft) with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. 9.3.5 Giza Necropolis The Pyramids of Giza, situated in the immediate vicinity of the southwestern suburbs of Cairo are the undisputable top attractions in Egypt. The pyramids at Giza were built over the span of three generations – by Khufu, his second reigning son Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is an awe-inspiring 139 meters (455 feet) high making it the largest pyramid in Egypt, although nearby Khafre’s Pyramid appears to be larger as it is built at a higher elevation. 9.4 INTRODUCTION – MAURITIUS 192 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Mauritius, island country in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa. Physio graphically, it is part of the Mascarene Islands. The capital is Port Louis. 9.5 CULTURAL LIFE Mauritius offers a rich mixture of the many cultures and traditions of its different peoples. The ethnic and religious diversity of Mauritius also means that there are many holidays and festivals scheduled throughout the year, including the Hindu festivals of Maha Shivaratree (see Mahā-śivarātrī) in February and March and Diwali in late October and November; the Muslim festival of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, marking the end of Ramadan; the Catholic observances in honour of Père Laval in September, All Saints’ Day in November, and Christmas in December; the lively Chinese Spring Festival celebration; and the Tamil holiday of Thaipoosam Cavadee, usually held in January or February, which includes fire-walking ceremonies. The entire country observes Abolition of Slavery Day on February 1, Republic Day on March 12, Labour Day on May 1, and Arrival of Indentured Laborers Day on November 2. 9.5.1 The arts and cultural institutions Interest in arts and letters and the sciences is promoted by voluntary associations, and the island has produced talented poets and novelists. Perhaps the best-known local writer is Dev Virahsawmy, a poet and playwright. Though he writes easily in both French and English, Virahsawmy is most renowned for his efforts to popularize the use of Creole. In addition to his own plays and poetry, he has also translated several of Shakespeare’s plays into Creole, which have been performed in Mauritius. 9.6 MAJOR ATTRACTIONS OF MAURITIUS 9.6.1 Trou Aux Biches - A Place Where You'll Lose Yourself For those who love snorkeling and swimming, Trou Aux Biches should be the first place to visit in Mauritius. With gentle sands shelving calm, shallow and clear water, this is an ideal place for a beach picnic with family and friends. If you love street food, hog at the numerous stalls and cafes along the coast. A variety of cuisines can be tried here. It is one of the top places of interest in Mauritius. 193 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
How to Reach: Take a cab or private car from Port Louis via A4 freeway to reach Trou Aux Beach in 30 min. Famous for: Trou Aux Biches is best known for swimming and snorkeling. 9.6.2 Belle Mare Plage - Enjoy Sunrise Amidst Greenery For early risers, Belle Mare Plage beach in Mauritius is a good choice to enjoy the sunrise. Take a dip while the sun comes up; you would be glad to add Belle Mare Plage beach to your list of must-visit tourist attractions among the- Mauritius sightseeing. Experienced swimmers can enjoy swimming in the currents, which are a bit stronger than other beaches in Mauritius. How to reach: Belle mare plage is only 42 km away from the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and can be reached by cars, taxis, busses and private vehicles available at the airport. Famous for: Belle Mare Plage should be the undoubted choice for windsurfing and swimming. 9.6.3 Ile Aux Cerfs - Perfect Weekend Getaway Travelers from across the world come to Ile Aux Cerfs beach in Mauritius to spend time with folks and friends. Mostly jam-packed during the weekend, it can be fun if sand and sun make a good combo for you. A cool and relaxing one among the coolest places to visit in Mauritius, it has some wonderful lagoons too. How to reach: The best way to reach Ile aux Cerfs is by a taxi-boat which can be boarded from Trou D'Eau Douce. Famous for: Water Sports lovers must come to Ile Aux Cerfs. It’s a good place for snorkeling as well. The Pereybere beach is quite popular among travelers. Keep it in your list of places to see among all the Mauritius tourist places, if you love deep-sea diving and snorkeling. Even though the water is deep in comparison to other beaches on the island, it is pleasingly calm. How to reach: You can reach Pereybere Beach from Grand Baie which is just 2 km away from the beach and you can find a number of taxis from there. 194 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Famous for: Corals and marine life at Pereybere is a treat for sea-life lovers. 9.6.4 La Cambuse - Swim Your Heart Out Actually, you can’t be confused about which ones to pick among popular tourist places in Mauritius, if adventurous sports pump your adrenaline. Keep La Cambuse beach as a must- visit. Termed as one of the undiscovered spots in Mauritius, it is located in the east of the airport. The white sand and crystal-clear water will surely invite you for a dip, but beware, as it can be deceiving. How to reach: You can either take a private cab or avail any of the public transports from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport to reach La Cambuse Beach. Famous for: La Cambuse is best suited for adventure swimming sports 9.7 INTRODUCTION - SEYCHELLE Seychelles, island republic in the western Indian Ocean, comprising about 115 islands, with lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches, and a wide variety of marine life. Situated between latitudes 4° and 11° S and longitudes 46° and 56° E, the major islands of Seychelles are located about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of Kenya and about 700 miles (1,100 km) northeast of Madagascar. The capital, Victoria, is situated on the island of Mahé. 9.8 CULTURAL LIFE Seychellois culture has been shaped by a combination of European, African, and Asian influences. The main European influence is French, recognizable in Seselwa, the Creole language that is the lingua franca of the islands, and in Seychellois food and religion; the French introduced Roman Catholicism, the religion of the majority of the islanders. African influence is revealed in local music and dance as well as in Seselwa. Asian elements are evident in the islands’ cuisine but are particularly dominant in business and trade. Holidays observed in Seychelles include Liberation Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the 1977 coup, on June 5; National Day, June 18; Independence Day, June 29; the Feast of the Assumption, August 15; All Saints’ Day, November 1; the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8; and Christmas, December 25. 195 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Because of the exorbitant expense of the large and lavish wedding receptions that are part of Seychellois tradition, many couples never marry; instead, they may choose to live en ménage, achieving a de facto union by cohabitating without marriage. There is little or no social stigma related to living en ménage, and the arrangement is recognized by the couple’s family and friends. The instance of couples living en ménage increases particularly among lower income groups. Dance plays an important role in Seychellois society. Both the séga and the moutya, two of the most famous dances performed in Seychelles, mirror traditional African customs. The sensual dances blend religion and social relations, two elements central to African life. The complicated and compelling dance movements were traditionally carried out under moonlight to the beat of African drums. Dances were once regular events in village halls, but these have largely died out in recent years; now dances take place in modern nightclubs. 9.9 MAJOR ATTRACTIONS OF SEYCHELLES Stunning and unspoiled, the Seychelles star in countless tropical island fantasies. Beautiful boulder-strewn beaches, virgin jungles, thriving coral reefs, and UNESCO-listed nature reserves are just some of the many attractions of the archipelago's 115 coral and granite islands, which are the peaks of a vast underwater plateau. The Seychelles lie east of Kenya, near the equator. Almost half their total land area is protected, and many of the islands and atolls are contained within marine sanctuaries. On land, you can hike mountain trails, bask on the ravishing beaches, rock climb, photograph the unique flora and fauna, and dine on mouthwatering Créole cuisine. Aquatic pursuits abound in the clear, azure water. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, and sailing are all world class, and the Seychelles boast some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. The larger, granitic inner islands of the Seychelles (primarily Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue) are the most developed for tourists, with many luxuries five-star resorts. Mahé is home to the small capital, Victoria, as well as the international airport, cruise ship port, and the beautiful Morne Seychellois National Park. On Praslin Island, you can explore the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, while sleepy La Digue shelters some of the world's most breathtaking beaches. The outer islands are mainly uninhabited low-lying sand cays and small coralline islands and atolls. Fishing is superb here, and anglers will find exclusive fishing lodges on 196 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
Alphonse Island and Farquhar Atoll. 9.9.1 Anse Intendance, Mahé One of Mahé's most beautiful beaches, this small and secluded crescent of sand on the island's south coast is a favorite surfing spot thanks to its frequent big swells and wild waves. The lack of a protective reef makes swimming a little rough when trade winds blow from the southeast, but sunbathers, beachcombers, and photographers will enjoy this picturesque, palm-framed strand at any time of year. Turtles nest along the powdery shores here. 9.9.2 Anse Lazio, Praslin On the north shore of Praslin Island, Anse Lazio (Chevalier Bay) is one of the island's most picturesque beaches. You have to hike over a hill to access the beach, but it's worth the effort. Flanked by rounded granite boulders, this long stretch of soft blond sand merges with crystal clear waters in dreamy shades of blue. Takamaka trees and coconut palms fringe the beach providing patches of shade for relaxing, and hungry bathers can refuel at restaurants on both ends of the beach. The best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon when most of the tour buses have left. 9.9.3 Baie Lazare, Mahé The pretty village of Baie Lazare on Mahé was named after 18th-century French explorer Lazare Picault, who landed here when the French government sent him to explore the islands. One of the area's main tourist attractions is the neo-Gothic Baie Lazare Church, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, which provides a panoramic view of the area. The stunning beaches of Anse Soleil and Petite Anse are favorites, with their striking azure water and dazzling white sand. 9.9.4 La Digue Island The fourth largest island in the archipelago, La Digue is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking a glimpse of traditional island life; bicycles and oxcarts are popular modes of transport. Stunning white-sand beaches and granite rock outcrops rim the coast, and beach connoisseurs will find one of the planet's most picturesque stretches of sand and sea here, Anse Source D'Argent. You do need to pay to access the beach at the nearby L'Union Estate, 197 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
where your admission includes a tour through this old copra factory and vanilla plantation. Another sightseeing attraction is the Veuve Nature Reserve, home to the endangered black paradise flycatcher, also called \"the widow\" because of its streaming black tail feathers. Diving and rock climbing are also popular things to do on the island, and hikers will enjoy La Pass to Grand Anse Trail, which threads past French colonial houses through woodlands and marsh areas to gorgeous Grand Anse beach. 9.9.5 Curieuse Island Day Trip Once known as Île Rouge due to its russet-toned earth, Curieuse Island is now home to a breeding program for giant tortoises, which roam freely around the sandy coves. Curieuse is the only place besides Praslin where the coco de mer palm grows naturally. The island was also once a leper colony, and you can explore the ruins of the leprosarium on the south shore as well as the doctor's house, a preserved national monument. Most of the island is covered with takamaka and casuarina trees, which shade the white-sand beaches. Curieuse Island is accessible by boat tours from Praslin Island 9.10 SUMMARY Egypt, country located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East and, like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s earliest urban and literate societies. Mauritius, island country in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa. Physio graphically, it is part of the Mascarene Islands. The capital is Port Louis. Seychelles, island republic in the western Indian Ocean, comprising about 115 islands, with lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches, and a wide variety of marine life. 9.11 KEYWORDS • Dynasty: a succession of rulers of the same line of descent; a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time. • Integral: essential to completeness, being containing 198 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
• Benchmarking: Process of comparing performance and activities among similar organizations either against an agreed standard or against those that are recognized as being among the best • Benchmarks: Points of reference or comparison, which may include standards, critical success factors, indicators, metrics. • Best Practice: Operational standards considered the most effective and efficient means of achieving desired outcomes. 9.12 LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. Discuss various cultural aspects of Egypt 2. Compare and contrast the Cultural difference of Mauritius and other neighboring countries 9.13 UNIT END QUESTIONS 199 A. Descriptive Type Questions 1. Explain the cultural differences in Egypt? 2. Which dynasty ruled first in Egypt? 3. Explain the art and culture of Mauritius. 4. Why belle mare plage is famous? Give reasons. 5. Explain the significance of Giza necropolis? 6. List out famous places in Seychelles. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
B. Multiple Choice Questions 1. For those who love snorkeling and swimming, Trou Aux Biches should be the first place to visit in Mauritius. With gentle sands shelving calm, shallow and clear water, this is an ideal place for a beach picnic with family and friends. a. Trou Aux Biches b. Belle Mare Plage c. Ile Aux Cerfs d. Pereybere 2. Once known as Île Rouge due to its russet-toned earth, Curieuse Island is now home to a breeding program for giant tortoises, which roam freely around the sandy coves. a. Curieuse Island Day Trip b. La Digue Island c. Baie Lazare, Mahé d. Ile Aux Cerfs 3. The pretty village of ………. was named after 18th-century French explorer Lazare Picault, who landed here when the French government sent him to explore the islands a. Baie Lazare on Mahé b. Curieuse Island Day Trip c. La Digue Island d. Ile Aux Cerfs 200 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)
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