Cultural perspective.

What is culture?

Culture in the simplest explanation is the way of life. I posted a simple query on what is culture online and came across the answers below; source: http://www.answers.com/topic/culture

a. The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.

b. These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population: Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty.

c. These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture.

d. The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.

‘Lunyu’ the traditional oven.

They said pictures speak louder than words, and I totally agree with the statement. Anyway do you know what this picture depicts? And from which culture is it found? Don’t guess too much, I hereby introduce to you what they called ‘Lunyu’ which is found in the Luo community coming from the lakeside. Its main purpose is for smoking fish so that they can be preserved for a long time and when it is not in use some people use it for drying utensil. So if you come across a smoked fish in Nairobi know it’s from ‘Lunyu’.

Please forward me a picture that represent your culture and a small caption/explanation about it, I would love to share it. Let us all embrace and respect our cultural diversity. Email me at Wilson.masaka[at]gmail.com

Celebrating 25th year MYSA anniversary – heroes and role model tournament

This year MYSA is celebrating its 25th year anniversary and this month theme is celebrating their Heroes and Role models who over the many years have helped the organization be what it is today.

It was a great honor to be acknowledged as one of their heroes and role models during the occasion that was well organized on 29th Sunday 2011. We mingled with the current staff, ex-Mathare united players, volunteers, community representatives, boys and girls of different age groups, friends, founder just to mention but a few.

The climax of the day was the football tournament that we played comprising of 2 girls and 3 boys in each team. The matches were played in group stages and only the winners were to enter into the semi finals. I played in a team called ‘black stars’ which was the finalist, and we were awarded the first prize. I take this opportunity to thank the MYSA fraternity for the great work they are doing in shaping the lives of many youth in the slum through sports and other great programs they have.

On the left is Mr. Jack Ogunda former Mathare United player and MYSA alumni, he is currently the Kenya Premier League chief executive officer and he also serves in the Harambee stars management board.

Mr. Wilson Masaka chasing the ball, he is an alumnus of MYSA and currently working with NairoBits Trust as an ICT trainer / web developer.

Preparation for the football tournament, warm up session conducted by one of the MYSA volunteers.

On and off the pitch team work, and this has been MYSA’s driving force.

Black stars: Winning team 5 aside tournament MYSA 25th year anniversary (heroes and role models month).

Mr. Wilson Masaka introducing himself and giving a vote of thanks, all present heroes and role models were given a chance to introduce themselves.

Mr. Wilson Masaka receiving medal for first prize in the 5 aside tournament. Long live MYSA, may God bless the work of your hands.

Inspiration patterns.

It was a great pleasure to host Mr. Patrick Mukabi, one of the renowned artists in Kenya and abroad. Patrick has a vast experience in painting and the art scene in general. I invited Patrick in one of my sessions at the media lab ( NairoBits: http://www.nairobits.com/ ) to share with us his invaluable experience while he trades through the life of an artists, particularly as a painter and how his work relates to digital arts hence where he sources ideas , inspirations and creativity.

Patrick Mukabi giving lectures...

We discussed a lot of subjects but the one that caught my attention most was; inspiration patterns and a creative being. Do you know that everyone is creative to some level? Some of us have built the experiences from learning institutions, to work experiences. But there is one great source that Mr. Patrick also emphasized on which are;

• Learning from your surroundings.
• Learning from other peoples work.
• Creating a learning curve whereby you also have competitor as a way of evaluating your progress.
• Connecting with people who have the same interests like you and knowing your inspiration patterns.

At what time are you at your best in terms of inspiration? One needs to know themselves better by recording times when they feel full of energy, creativity and inspiration. Make sure you have a note book or sketch pad at all times to record any ideas that might pop up while cruising through terrains of life.

If you don’t record, it will disappear and it will take you another full cycle of generating that unique idea which might not be easy to get. On the contrarily you need to record when you experience the “inspirational block” or “creative block” because it will help you balance your activity geared towards inspirational moments. Some simple examples cited during the discussion on what people do when they experience “inspirational block”, some people might prefer walking, reading, watching TV, sleeping, sporting or even try something new for example if you love football you might try rugby etc.

I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Patrick Mukabi in a special way. You’re a champion, you have made great impact on our creative life and I must confess you’re a great person, easy to relate with and always ready to share with others your inspirations, ideas etc. In this regards this in what Wilsenx initiative ought to do in a wider scope whereby connecting champions of life with great minds and aspiring champs. More about Patrick Mukabi please visit; http://www.saatchionline.com/profile/47491 or google his name.

Written by Wilson Masaka