Culture

In traditional African culture, visitors entered the hosts’ house through the main door. The back door, which also served a pen for sheep, was rarely used as it was considered a taboo to enter a house through one door and exit through the other.

However, the urban population now welcomes visitors through the back door that usually leads to the kitchen. The front door is only opened where there is very important visitor or when there is a function in the house. It is no longer a taboo to walk into a house through one door and walk out through the next. City dwellers expect their guests to leave their shoes at the entrance, though they tend to put up dramatized objection to the guest toking off their shoes. The gesture is often Ignored by the guest.

Tourists come across diverse table manners in the North Rift as much as they do its people. Each family sets its own rules of etiquette used while eating. In most religious families, prayer is said before meals. As a guest you may be requested to say the grace before the meal. Some families teach their children to keep their hands on the table. Resting your hands on the table for an entire meal is polite. Elbows, however, are never allowed on the table.

in many Muslim and Arabic cultures, people use only right hand to eat. The left hand, traditionally used for hygiene, and is considered unclean. In some families, diners share one plate and eat with their right hand.  Some families eat on the carpet or mat with the soles of your feet hidden as revealing them is deemed impolite.

Before the meal you’re expected to wash your hands. Licking your fingers and  belching after a meal is considered bad table manners.

North Rift is the agricultural center of the world, Dietary habits are influenced by the family’s cultural background. Restaurants in the region serve o choice of continental cuisine from an a la carte. In addition to local cuisine, restaurants offer diverse European and Asian cuisine derived from substantial influence by European and Asian settlers and farmers in the region.

Most restaurants take minimum of an hour for food so don’t worry about being on time when invited for a meal. Lateness is a norm in this pan of the world. Where possible, especially for nyama choma (BBQ meat meals), call ahead as food is prepared to order. Taste your food before adding salt it’s most likely already salted.

In some homes finishing everything on your plate suggests that your hosts didn’t cook or serve enough food. While in others, leaving o small amount on your plate symbolizes that you’ve had your fill and acknowledge your host’s generosity

Ugali served with managu (greens) and/or beef stew a favorite traditional food in North Rift. Rice served with beef is also commonly served on the table in many homes, Other dietary options include, but not limited to, Githeri (a mix of maize and beans) and rice accompanied kidney beans. Rice and githeri is not eaten with a fork. Spoons are the preferred choice of culture. Ugali, with its, accompaniment, is often eaten by hand.

The common dress Code in region is long trousers, a shirt and coat or during the colder season some layer up with a sweater over their coat. During the rainy season, those who can afford, wear gumboots. Women wear dresses and thick woolen sweaters or winter jackets. When working in the farm you find women in gumboots especially during rainy seasons. When serving guests, it’s habitually for women to tie a lesso around their waist.

Men working in offices are frequently in suit, shirt and tie. Women wear skirts with a matching top during hot seasons- colorful dresses are a popular option. Commuters travelling into city centers from up country homes tend to have two sets of  shoes with them — one for the commute/ walking and the other set for the office.