Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#KeCultureLives
Culture is a rich tapestry that exists in myriad forms. From the captivating artwork displayed in galleries and the spellbinding performances in theatres, to the fascinating artefacts carefully curated in museums and archives, and even in the modern digital formats that help us connect with our heritage – culture thrives in every corner of this beautiful nation. As such, we are thrilled to embark on an exciting exploration of
Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#HistoryOfBanking
Money in Kenya changed significantly over the years in the colonial era. And with these changes came the establishment of financial institutions that would accept monetary deposits and create a demand deposits. It’s no doubt that the first banks were set up to accommodate members of the colonial administration and European settlers, but as money became a commodity, more financial institutions came to be – a sign that there
Remember the story of...
Kenyan Wind Instruments
Siwa (Swahili) - flute The Waswahili are said to be among the earliest settlers of the towns that emerged along Kenya’s coast. In Pate, the city state that grew in the northern region of the Swahili coast, various customs became part of the community, and among these was music. In 1688 the WaPate crafters made a horn from ivory. It was named Siwa and it would be used during various ceremonies. The interesting feature about the Siwa was that it was...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!
We love food, and who doesn’t? It’s an indispensable element of our lives. Food fuels our health and wellbeing and transcends dietary realms. But it is so much more than that. It is also a defining element of our heritage, deeply ingrained in our culture. By simply looking at what’s on our plates, how we’ve cooked it, and digging deeper into the intricacies of who eats what, it is possible for someone to tell who we are. As such, food is a key part of our identity. This manifests itself in many ways. In the different locations our communities inhabit, you will find varying types of produce, and with it, different methods the harvest undergoes from farm to table. Regardless of these differences, food always brings us together. In the farm, as we gather by the fire around a sizzling pot of stew, or at the table. In this uniting spirit, we welcome you to a celebration of food and its production processes through #VyakulaVyetu and #StreetFoodKenya
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
THE POWER OF KINDNESS
When we think about the virtues that adorn the professional realm, certain traits like determination, tenacity, and hard work often take centre stage. These qualities, undoubtedly commendable, drive success and accomplishment. Yet, amid the cacophony of accolades, there exists a subtle hero – kindness. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, kindness often stands in the shadows, its profound impact obscured by the more visible triumphs of grit and ambition. It’s time to change that narrative. Welcome to this edition of our newsletter, where we illuminate the transformative power of kindness and the indelible marks it leaves on the lives it touches. This newsletter is a dedicated space to shine a spotlight on acts of kindness, both big and small, that ripple through the fabric of our shared human experience. As you turn the pages of this month’s edition, immerse yourself in narratives that demonstrate the profound impact of kindness-stories that inspire and remind us of the strength inherent in compassionate actions. Now, dear readers, we invite you to join us in this celebration. Reflect on the kindness you’ve witnessed or experienced and consider how you, too, can be an agent of positive change. How can you be more intentional about practicing kindness in your daily life?
TEAM PAUKWA
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