Nairobi dance ensemble performs at Katara

The Nairobi National Dance Ensemble comprising more than 25 male and female dancers and musicians has been entertaining spectators  at Katara – the Cultural Village over the past two days. Jointly organised with Unesco, Katara provided visitors a unique cultural experience from Africa on Monday aimed at educating people on the richness of Kenya’s national heritage through music and dance. Hailing from the group’s namesake locale of Nairobi, Kenya, the troupe collectively presented authentic depictions of Kenyan culture with the use of song, dance, percussion and a number of additional elements which are central to Nairobi, known as “The City in the Sun”.  The Nairobi National Dance Ensemble has weaved a numver of tribal cultures into its performance which included Kikuyu, Kamba, Embu, Meru, Luhya, Luo, Kisii, Maasai, Kalenjin, Giriama and Digo tribes, representing regions across Kenya. Each tribal representation brings different instruments such as handmade tin drums, Ohangala, Isukuti and Ngotha drums, Kitingisho shakers, Chivoti flutes, Orutu traditional violins and the Nyatiti, an eight-string instrument. Ornate costumes consisting of animal hides are also part of the ensemble’s performance, each tribe bringing an assortment of Kenyan regalia. Lion, leopard and buffalo hides and ostrich feathers are some of the animal products used by the group to adorn themselves.The ensemble had also performed at festivals in Spain, France and Portugal. Katara will host a Georgian performance on February 5-6 while a show from Tajikistan is scheduled for February 11-12.