Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#HistoryOfBanking
Money in Kenya changed significantly over the years in the colonial era. And with these changes came the establishment of financial institutions that would accept monetary deposits and create a demand deposits. It’s no doubt that the first banks were set up to accommodate members of the colonial administration and European settlers, but as money became a commodity, more financial institutions came to be – a sign that there
Remember the story of...
Remember the story of...
Mekatilili – The Warrior Widow
Alizaliwa Mnyazi wa Menza, kijijini Mutara wa Tsatsu, hapo Kilifi. Alikuwa dada wa Nzai, Hare, Kithi, na Mwarandu. Lakini anajulikana kwa jina lingine. Mekatilili wa Menza. Mekatilili’s name came from her son – Katilili and in the tradition of her community from the time he was born she was known as mother of Katilili. Widowed relatively young, her status as a widow gave her protection, and she was revered amongst...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
LUGHA ZETU
Languages are the vibrant threads that weave together the tapestry of human existence. They are the essence of communication, connecting individuals and communities, while also serving as the key to preserving culture, heritage, and knowledge. African languages have long been underappreciated and overshadowed by colonial ones. However, times are changing, and with increasing efforts to promote cultural diversity and inclusivity, they are finally gaining the recognition they truly deserve. Kiswahili, in particular, has emerged as a leading example of this linguistic renaissance. At Paukwa, we have long been champions of different facts of Kenyan culture. Through #KeProverbs and #MisemoYetu we celebrate the rich diversity of our linguistic heritage.
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Just like our fingerprints, we are all unique and different. Our backgrounds, experiences, values, belief systems, ideas and points of view vary. Yet amidst these differences, all our voices have places they belong to in the community. At Paukwa, we’re keen on telling the stories of the authentic Kenyan experience, and that can only be possible with the acknowledgement of our varying cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, generations, and abilities. For this, we are joining the world in championing for inclusivity in our magical way by sharing stories of Kenyans in #DisabilityNotInability who in their work and everyday lives strive to create room for others to belong.
TEAM PAUKWA
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