The annual Chenda Chenda festival of pomp, culture and ceremony promotes the Mijikenda rich cultural heritage in the coastal region.
This year in Kwale, the festival was held at Kaya Mtswakara in Kasemeni Ward, Kinango Subcounty with pomp, colour and culture.
It is aimed at honoring the centuries-old Mijikenda culture and sacred heritage.
The name ‘Chenda’ is a Mijikenda word meaning ‘nine’, a number of great significance to the Mijikenda people of the coastal region.
The cultural festival held in Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties provides a platform to showcase the Mijikenda cultural heritage, history and traditions.
It features traditional cuisine, vibrant dance performances, exhibitions, beauty pageants, parades, community feasting, and a strong emphasis on unity and cultural expression.
The cultural extravaganza celebrates the culture, heritage and unity of the nine Mijikenda sub-tribes found in Kwale and Kilifi counties.
It brings together the Mijikenda sub tribes of Giriama, Digo, Duruma, Rabai, Kambe, Chonyi, Jibana, Kauma and Ribe and seeks to foster pride, unity and a connection to cultural heritage.
The popular carnival features a wide range of activities, including traditional music and dance performances, elaborate costumes and mouthwatering local delicacies on display.
The thrilling cultural event drew huge crowds, local leaders, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across the coastal region and beyond, reinforcing cultural identity and unity.
It was celebrated with great pomp and fanfare, featuring vibrant traditional attire, elaborate drumming and dancing, and musketry display.
Leaders, tourists and the cultural enthusiasts were treated to a dazzling display of colour, energy and traditional dance performances with the air filled with the sound of drums.
Participants and spectators alike immersed themselves in the joy and excitement of the cultural occasion.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani graced the festival, underscoring its significance as a platform to showcase the community’s intangible cultural heritage.
Governor Achani was accompanied by her Deputy Chirema Kombo, Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito, Lunga Lunga MP Mangale Chiforomodo and the Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board Aisha Jumwa.
She said the devolved government is committed to attracting foreign and domestic tourists to experience the Chenda Chenda festival.
Achani said the celebration showcases respect for the old age Mijikenda traditions, the environment and each and every member of the society.
The Governor reaffirmed her commitment to environmental conservation, cultural protection, and land justice, pledging continued collaboration with local communities and elders to secure the county's cultural future.
She said the event is popular with tourists and is a vital expression of identity and community spirit in a region rich in tradition and home to a vibrant tapestry of cultural festivities.
“The Chenda Chenda cultural festival serves as a bridge between generations by connecting the past with the present and the future through shared cultural practices and respect for heritage,” she said.
"As a devolved unit, we cherish cultural festivals and explore the opportunities to support rich cultural heritages and tourism potential," she added.
The coastal county boss said sharing the unique aspects of the Mijikenda cultural identities can help create an inclusive and compassionate society.
Achani stressed the importance of using cultural festivals like Chenda Chenda, regarded as the main cultural gathering of the Mijikenda, to enhance peace, unity, solidarity and social progress.
“Culture is not just about dance and music but is a key pillar of unity, peace and social cohesion,” Achani said.
Kaya elders at the celebrations led by Nzai Kombe said the Chenda Chenda festival strengthens the Mijikenda identity and ensures that its age-old traditions, culture and heritage are preserved for posterity.
Elder Kombe said cultural festivals serve as a vital platform for cultural preservation, foster cultural exchange and community unity.
“The Chenda Chenda festival is a cherished annual celebration that brings the Mijikenda people both at home and abroad together to celebrate in joy, pride and unity,” he said, adding that the Kaya elders use such festivals to talk to the youths and guide them.
He thanked the political leaders for showing support for heritage and unity and decried that many of the cultural practices are gradually being abandoned, especially among the younger generation.
Fatuma Masito, the Kwale county MP, said the Chenda Chenda festival will go a long way in building unity and shaping the identity of nine sub tribes of the Mijikenda.
MP Masito said the festival should serve as a platform for dialogue and solidarity among the Mijikenda.
Aisha Jumwa said festivals are crucial events for cultural preservation, community bonding and showcasing the rich heritage of ethnic groups.
Jumwa, a former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender and Culture highlighted the significance of Chenda Chenda in showcasing the coastal region’s cultural heritage and tourism appeal.
