Peace (amani)

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Peace (Swahili : Amani)

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Non-seasonal topic
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation


Peace in Kenya, as elsewhere, has many layers of meaning.

Kenya haijin, first of all, think of peace within their own country and in the cross-border regions with neighbouring countries. Several regions in the country have suffered ethnic strife from time to time. This may be caused by political factors, pitting one community against another, or it may be due to by traditional practices, such as cattle rustling from neighbouring communities (see Maasai Cattle in this Database) and, more recently, by conflict over the ownership of water sources in the semi-arid areas.

Next, they think of peace within the neighbouring countries. Kenya, as a stable democracy, has over the decades acted as host to innumerable refugees from Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo, and other countries farther afield. Kenya governments, past and present, have consistently worked for peace agreements in these neighbouring countries and have successfully brokered several of these.

Beyond this, Kenya haijin think of peace in the world (see also War and Peace in this Database). Thanks to the news media, they are as concerned about trouble spots in other parts of the world as the citizens of any other nation, and regularly pray for such places in church and in public gatherings. Kenya is a regular supplier of UN Peacekeeping Forces, most often for duty in other African countries, but also in other continents.

Kenya took its own heavy toll of suffering from conflict in other parts of the world, when the capital was hit by the Nairobi Bomb on 7 August 1998 (see Nairobi Bomb Day in this Database).



The Bamboochas pay their respects at the 7 August 1998 Memorial, August 2006
Photo : Patrick Wafula

Finally, Kenya haijin remember peace in their own communities, their families, their homes and their hearts. Students learn and perform drama containing scenes of family strife and violence, with the objective of raising awareness and preventing the replication of such suffering in the next generation.

Isabelle Prondzynski

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

The government of retired President Daniel arap Moi (1978 - 2002) chose the themes of Peace, Love and Unity as its slogan. The Peace Monument, mentioned by Patrick Wafula below, was erected during this era. Moi Day (10 October), a public holiday currently under review, was set as a day to remember others and look after the less advantaged citizens.

Isabelle Prondzynski

More information here :
http://www.mfa.go.ke/moi.html


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HAIKU

in the schoolyard
making peace between factions --
one lone boy

bedtime --
around the kerosene lamp
we pray for peace

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

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rainy windy Marsabit --
peacemakers perish
in a plane crash

~ Anne Nechesa (Peacock Haiku Poetry Club)


church leaders --
heads bowed and hands raised
praying for peace

~ Catherine Njeri (Bahati Haiku Poetry Club)


peaceful dog
poaked by a passing boy --
it runs at the boy

~ Simon Ndirangu (Falcons Haiku Poetry Club)


baby crying
mother bleeding badly
no peace at home

~ Raymond Otieno (Bahati Haiku Poetry Club)


Students of Bahati Secondary School performing a sketch on family violence

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Samburu elders
offering a peace sacrifice --
cows moo, bulls bellow

happy looking kid...
sucking lollipop in front of
the Peace Monument

heavy beads of sweat
drop from patrol police's brow...
calm Mai Mahiu

~ Patrick Wafula

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Read more Haiku about Peace and Love
from Kenya Haiku Clubs here !


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Related words

***** Nairobi Bomb Day

***** World Peace Day

***** War and Peace (sensoo to heiwa) 　

***** Moi Day
kigo for the short rains

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THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
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