Confucius Institute at Egerton University brings Chinese culture to the primary school, Kenya

On August 12th, students and teachers from the Confucius Institute at Egerton University in Kenya visited Lions Primary School in Nakuru County, where they held an innovative Chinese culture exhibition and cultural performance.

Confucius Institute at Egerton University instructor Yang Qiupu teaching some basic Chinese to the students at Lions Primary School

The Confucius Institute at Egerton University was invited by Lions Primary School to hold the cultural exhibition and performance, as part of the school’s cultural events being held this week. The day’s activities were taken part in by over 1000 people, including Nakuru County officials, teachers, students and their parents from the school.

Chinese language teacher Yang Zhiguo from Lions Primary School introducing dumplings, steamed buns and other Chinese food to some children from the Kalenjin tribe

The Confucius Institute at Egerton University offered Chinese language courses at Lions Primary School in September 2014. Chinese language education is highly regarded by school leaders and has been greatly welcomed by the faculty and students, with over 500 students currently learning Chinese there.

A student from Confucius Institute at Egerton University demonstrating how to use chopsticks to students from Lions Primary School

Throughout the day’s activities, in the Chinese culture experience area, the Lions Primary School teachers, students and their parents viewed a photo exhibition showing the Chinese architecture, clothing and art culture. They also experienced Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting, and tasted Chinese food. Many students expressed that they would continue learning Chinese, so that they could further understand China, and wished that they could travel to China to study in the future.

A total of 12 students from the Confucius Institute at Egerton University held a cultural performance filled with Chinese culture, including dances such as Jasmine Flowers, Blue and White Porcelain, and Little Apple. Dance performances were put on by artists from five African tribes, namely Kikuyu, Maasai, Bantu, Kalenjin and Xhosa. The juxtaposition of Chinese and African cultures on the same stage received fervent praise from the audience.

Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at Egerton University performing the dance Little Apple

A freshman from Faculty of Education and Community Studies of Egerton University, whose Chinese name is Ding Qianqian, took part in four of the shows. She began her university life last September, and from the beginning of the semester she began learning Chinese at the Confucius Institute. She says that learning Chinese was the best decision she’s ever made, and the Chinese teachers at the Confucius Institute have been “carefully cultivating them like gardeners”.

Chinese language teacher Yang Zhiguo from Lions Primary School introducing Beijing Opera to the teachers and students

Headmaster Imubuxi of Lions Primary School said that he was very thankful to the Confucius Institute at Egerton University for their meticulous preparation for the cultural exhibition and performance, creating a highlight for the cultural events. He also said that in the future he wishes to increase collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Egerton University, so that the children can learn more about Chinese language and culture, thus making Lions Primary School into a “Chinese language and culture center” of the Nakuru primary education system.

(Xinhua Africa)