Nairobi National Archives Of Kenya

Nairobi National Archives Of Kenya

The Nairobi National Archives of Kenya is located in the busy Moi Avenue in the city of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and is an absolute delight to the visitors who want to learn about the history and culture of this nation. The Archives are often forgotten by the tourists who are interested in the Kenya safaris, but they are an alternative trip, a journey to the soul of a nation, described in documents, photographs, artifacts, and art. Irrespective of whether you love history, research, or want to have a significant stopover in the city during your travels, the Nairobi National Archives is a place that you should consider adding to your Nairobi itinerary.

History and Significance of the Nairobi National Archive

Nairobi National Archives was created in 1965 soon after the independence of Kenya to store public records and a research center to the historians, students and the general population. The building is also historical, in that it once housed the Bank of India, and has preserved its vintage colonial design even as it contains the latest archival systems. The Archives is a living document of Kenya colonial history, the struggle of independence and the creation of contemporary Kenya with thousands of government documents, newspapers and rare publications.

Murumbi African Heritage Collection

The Murumbi African Heritage Collection is one of the greatest attractions in the Nairobi National Archives, and was purchased by the government, with the help of Joseph Murumbi, the second Vice President of Kenya and a great collector of African art. It contains more than 50,000 objects, mostly traditional weapons, jewelry, textiles, ceremonial masks, and ancient manuscripts of the entire continent of Africa. This renders the Archives not only a cultural center of Kenya but also an important center of African art and heritage. Visitors may view the various exhibitions of Maasai bead work, Lamu wood carvings, Ethiopian crosses and West African bronze sculptures.

Exhibitions and Art Galleries

The Nairobi National Archives is actually a mini museum and art gallery on the ground floor with regular exhibitions, modern Kenyan art, and photographs documenting the changes in Nairobi and Kenya over the decades. The early images of Nairobi, colonialists, liberation leaders, and the common Kenyan people provide background to the history of the country in its quest to independence and its growth thereafter. These galleries offer a convenient means through which tourists can understand the history of Kenya as they admire the ingenuity and innovation of the people.

Research Facilities and Library

The Archives is also a research centre to scholars and university students, where access to a large collection of documents, rare books and government publications are available. The library holds the old newspapers, colonial correspondences, land treaties and official government reports giving an in-depth view of the administrative and political history of Kenya. The Nairobi National Archives is a useful source of information to the traveler and researcher in the field of genealogy or postcolonial studies to trace family history and the development of policy in East Africa.

Tourist Information:

The following information is provided to give visitors an insight into local culture.

Trip to the Nairobi National Archives can give one information about diversity of the more than 40 ethnic groups in Kenya, their cultural practices and their art forms. Tourists can learn more about the Kikuyu, Luo, Maasai, and Kamba groups, and many more, with references to such artifacts as traditional costumes, musical instruments, and ritual items. The Archives also contains oral history, photographs and written accounts of freedom fighters such as Dedan Kimathi and Jomo Kenyatta, giving a complex view of the Kenyan independence movement.

Useful Travel Advice to Visiting the Nairobi National Archives

Nairobi National Archive is also situated in a convenient area where it is walking distance to Kenya national theatre, Kenya international conference centre (KICC) and other major attractions in the city of Nairobi and hence can be added to your Nairobi city tour. They are open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturdays until noon, and an entry fee of only a little is charged at the door. A visitor should be ready to have a notebook to make notes during exploration and an eye to enjoy the small details of the artifacts and art pieces presented.

It is highly guarded like most of the public buildings in Nairobi, so carry as little as possible to be searched quickly. Photography could be prohibited in some areas, and one should check with the personnel on entry. Guided tours may also contribute to your experience as the personnel can explain the exhibitions and artifacts in detail and connect it to the bigger picture of Kenyan historical and political story.

Other Nairobi Attractions in combination with it

Upon a visit to the Archives, visitors can visit other local attractions such as the Nairobi Railway Museum, the Maasai Market where crafts are sold, or the Nairobi Gallery which also has some sections of the Murumbi Collection. To travelers in layover, visiting the Nairobi National Archives is a convenient and educative experience to spend a few hours in the country to learn about the rich history of Kenya before proceeding to the airport.

The importance of the Nairobi National Archives to date

With digital media taking the center stage in this age, the Nairobi National Archives is a lesson on how to keep the past records and cultural heritage to be used by the generations to come. It also assists both Kenyans and foreigners to comprehend the origins of the current problems and admire the strength and rich culture of the country. It also encourages cultural tourism within Nairobi, which makes tourists have an incentive to spend more time in the city before going out to a safari in Maasai Mara, Amboseli or Tsavo.

Conclusion

Nairobi National Archives of Kenya is not just a building, but it is also a portal to the soul of Kenya through its history, art and heritage. It is a highly rewarding experience to any visitor to Nairobi including the researcher who wants to get archival material and the tourist who wants to get in touch with the history of the country. When organizing a Nairobi city tour, you should not lose the opportunity to visit this significant cultural object.

Visit the Nairobi National Archives today and get to know the stories, struggles and triumphs that made Kenya what it is today.