milayetu: Kenya 20 years ago

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Monday, December 18, 2006

Kenya 20 years ago

In a previous article I wrote about the first English literary book to be published in African. If you have not yet read it go to my archives. I came across something equally interesting; the first full feature film to be acted in Kenya, as in the first Kenyan movie. It’s called kolormask. It was officially opened in December 1986 (exactly 20 years ago) during the open of the African film week which was launched by the then vice-president and the minister for home affairs Mr. Mwai Kibaki. The film was first shown at the Nairobi cinema. It took five years to make the movie. It was produced and directed by Sao Gamba.
The movie is about Kenya’s social and cultural struggle. It tells of the plight of an African medical graduate who returns to Kenya after staying in London for 15 years, with a white wife and two children. The story shows the cultural dilemma the family faces as they try to fit in.

Still on the arts 20 years ago the former president of Kenya Daniel arap Moi launched his book; Kenya African nationalism, published by the Macmillan publishers. This was at a ceremony in the state house Nairobi. Present was the then vice president Mwai Kibaki and other KANU officials. Moi dedicated the book to the children and youth of Kenya. He said he was inspired to write the book by his love of humanity. He wanted to share his ideas with Kenyans.

Now to infrastructure; we all know it but ignore it, or simply dismiss it. To most of us it is just an abstract structure with no meaning. It is the Kenya symbol of unity which was officially opened 20 years ago, more precisely December 10th. It is located at the Langata's Uhuru gardens. It cost 10 million shillings to make that structure. It is 33m tall and was designed by a Mr. Hameed Mughal. It is supposed to depict Nyayo's philosophy of harambee and patriotism.
Just a small by the way; the word harambee was ofiicialy coined by the late, and the first president of the republic of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

Wonder why there are job shortages not only in Kenya but all over Africa. This is because 20 years ago 60% of African population was below the age of 16. This means that they are now between the ages of 20 to 36, if we hold all else constant. This is Africa’s working force.

Did you know that 20 years ago (December 1986) there was a competition for Kenya’s national dress? The wining dress was to be the Kenya national dress. I wonder what happened to it because it was just recently all Kenyans were concerned and were busy looking for a national dress.

Now let’s go to entertainment. Want to go back 20 years? These are the movies that you should be watching this festive season.

Delta Park. Featuring chuck Norris. This is for some good old fashioned action, where the hero never gets hurt, and saves things just at the nick of time.

Top gun, featuring Tom Cruise. (action)

Rock IV, featuring Sylvester Stallone. (action)

Cobra, featuring Sylvester Stallone. (action)

Tarzan and the ape. For some good old fashioned adventure.

The colour purple. Featuring Oprah Winfrey. For some deep drama.

The black cauldron. For some cartoon
The above movies were what were hitting the big screens 20 years ago.

posted by milayetu @ 3:29 AM

2 Comments:

At 4:46 AM, Anonymous said…

This is sure a good lesson in Hisory.
Hope Rocky Balbao will match up to the older versions.But we gonna watch this.

And true about the high unemployment rate, its plainly because generation 'Game Boys'has populated Africa and they are now in their mid 20's and early 30's thus competing for the scarce resources.
At 12:25 PM, Anonymous said…

This is just bits and pieces of African history, nothing indepth or detailed enough to give anyone a glimpse of the true wonderful richness of the African continent and its history.