Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has faced the tribal ghost as he tries to sail through the Kenyan political ocean. He had to worship the tribal gods when picking his deputy governor and the same puzzle awaits him should he choose to vie for Presidency in 2022.
You need numbers besides money to succeed in Kenyan politics. However, you should know these two facts about Governor Joho’s Swahili Tribe.
1. Economy
Their main economic activity was trade and this might be the reason Joho is a great businessman. The Swahili linked the South, Central and Southeast Africa to the rest of the world. Archeological evidence and historical records show that this tribe produced the best sailors and prolific maritime merchants. They sailed as far as Madagascar, China, Arabia, India and Persia. They are still good traders today.
2. Culture and religion
Most Swahili traditions are influenced by the Arabic culture. The landmark influence of Arabic culture on the Swahili Tribe is the dominance of Islam.
Other cultural aspects like clothing, food and general lifestyle reflects an Islamic cultural touch.
This community does not have an elaborate rite of passage for their young men and women as is the case with the Kenyan coast dominant group, Mijikenda, and other Kenyan tribes.