Posted by Donald Agwenge
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| Isambo Patron Hon Ababu Namwamba dances with guests from across the world. |
Swelling of guests from across the world in different hotels and guest houses in Busia and neighboring Kisumu county. Bright illumination, parades and hedonistic rituals that turn everyday norms upside down. White tents reflecting the moonlight to the shores of Lake Victoria at Che’s bay. Strings of motorcades snaking from Port Victoria through Sinyenye to Muhondo. White, black, yellow and all colors of men arriving at the exotic Che’s bay. These are clear signage to the people of Busia that the Isambo carnival season is fast approaching.
Regarded as a rite of passage from darkness to light, winter to
summer as well as a celebration of fertility and festivities, carnivals have etched
themselves into folklore for centuries now. And while the origins of
carnivals may be a debatable affair, their ability to create delirious,
unforgettable experiences for all is not. Whereas the culture of festivities has not been a norm in most Kenyan societies, many communities are picking up to the art of festivities in the recent past. However, most of these Kenyan festivals have not mastered the art of carnivals. Theirs is just out of sheer vagrancy.
Isambo Beach Carnival stands out to be Kenya’s best and can be compared with world’s top carnivals like the Mardi Gras, the Venice Carnivals, the Spanish Tenerife and the famous Brazilian Rio Festival. Unlike other local festivals that come and go, Isambo has a lifeline of longevity. The carnival never ends at the material day(s).
The epic festival is a shimmering oasis of thematic music, a theater of
top notch fun and entertainment, a base for talent exploitation,
sporting activities , cultural diversity, racial integration and a
dining table of swanky African cuisines. This rare cocktail of activities has made Isambo stand out amongst it peers and elders and take the crown.
Across Kenya, Isambo is the only beach carnival that attracts guests from across the world. East to West, North and South. The Isambo venue is decorated with flags of guest donation. This makes it a point of racial integration and bonding of people from across the globe. Last year, over 600 guests of foreign nationalities graced the festival.
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| Flags dancing to the tunes of one world one love at the Isambo festival last year |
Isambo is the homestead of the setting sun. Every time the sun goes
down, it signals a transition of the day’s activities and acts as the
curtain raiser for the carnival’s climax – Isambo Beauty Pageant. Last year’s edition was won sweat and tears by Ms. Lennis Nabalayo in the female category whilst Mr. Methuselah took the king’s crown. Unlike other festivals where the winning prize ends at the d-day, Isambo winners have been given a one year mandate as the carnival ambassadors to champion the carnival’s goals and objectives. The winners received cash prizes on the material day and also won a four day trip for three to Abu Dhabi and Dubai sponsored by the festival partners Etihad Airways and Fly Emirates.
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| Isambo Beauty Pageant winners on a desert trip in Dubai |
Isambo, majorly funded by Ababu Namwamba Foundation is currently running a green project where the organizers have set up a 5,000 seedling capacity seed bed which will be donated to the communities as part of the re-afforestation measures to achieve Kenya’s 10% target tree cover.
The festival also works closely with orphans and vulnerable children, Children’s homes and orphanages where they provide support, mentorship and guidance.
These attributes make Isambo Kenya’s best. Come December this year, get up, don that quirky carnival outfit, say yes and let yourself loose on
the streets for a few days of merrymaking at the incredible Che’s bay, the home of Isambo. #TwendeISambo2019