In this blog, I interviewed international students and asked them to tell us what they like about their home countries. Since we international students come from many countries, and it is difficult to introduce the best of all countries at once, we interviewed international students from Kenya and Belize! I would be happy if I could share with you the love of their home countries!
Allan
(From Kiambu, Kenya)
A place to visit in Kenya is the Maasai Mara National Park, where the wildebeest migration occurs, where they migrate from Kenya to Tanzania.
Githeri is a delicious cuisine from Kenya. Githri is a must-try, which is made of beans and corn, which is most preferred.
Some of the souvenirs you can get are Maasai beaded jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. We also have kitenges, which we call shukas, which are brightly colored cotton fabrics used for home decor.
We have a tradition, called ruracio, or in other terms, Kikuyu Bride Price, where the family of the bride and bridegroom negotiate and exchange gifts for the bride. I was lucky I attended my parents' ruracio. We have the Masai jump, where the warriors showcase who can jump higher to showcase their strength and agility.
Covenant
(From Duck Run III, Belize)
There are so many! But for sure, check out the Mayan Ruins and the Great Blue Hole—it’s the world’s largest living barrier reef, and it’s stunning.
Belize is known as the “melting pot of cultures”, so the food is super diverse. A
typical Sunday lunch would be rice and beans with stew chicken, fried plantain, and
coleslaw. You’ve also got to try perogies (crescent-shaped dumplings filled with cottage
cheese)from the Mennonites and hudut (fish stew cooked in coconut milk) from the Garifuna.
Belizeans are super gifted when it comes to making handcrafted items. When you pass by a market, grab some Mayan crafts—they’ve got everything from detailed stone and wood carvings to vibrant bags made with traditional Maya textiles and weaving styles.
As mentioned, we’re a melting pot of cultures, so there are a lot of cool traditions. One of my favorites is the Habinahan Wanaragua Jankunu (John Canoe) Festival —it’s a Garifuna Christmas dance competition with men in masks and costumes dancing to live drumming. The dance honors their ancestors and symbolizes resistance against colonial oppression.
In this blog, I introduced Kenya and Belize. It was particularly interesting to compare the cultures of both countries. The traditional events from each country were especially impressive and gave me a deep sense of their rich cultures. I hope I have shown love for their home countries well. If you ever have a chance to visit Kenya or Belize, please refer to this blog.