John Hunwick

Can These Bones Live?

by

Josprel

“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said unto me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.’

“Again He said unto me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say unto them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live . . .’

“‘So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone . . . Also He said to me . . . ’say to the breath ‘Thus says the Lord God ‘come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied . . . and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said unto me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore, prophesy and say to them, ‘O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come forth from your graves, and bring you to the land of Israel . . . I will put My Spirit in you and you shall live . . .’” (Ezekiel 37:1-14; New

King James Bible).

We are living in an era of the fast fulfillment of biblical prophecy. I recall being told as a young child by my father - a steadfast Christian who knew the scriptures - that Israel one day would become a nation again. He said this during a era when such an event appeared impossible of fulfillment; yet in our time Israel already has been resurrected for decades.

Since the scattering of Israel during the time of the Prophet Jeremiah - who predicted both the captivity and re-gathering of the nation of Israel - in approximately B.C 629, there has been no lack of skeptics who doubted the nation would be resurrected. Even Israel itself voiced doubts about its resurrection. Israel’s estimate of its return from oblivion may be found in Ezekiel 37:11: “Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: We are cut off for our parts.” In our vernacular this may be rendered: “It’s all over for us. We have been totally dismembered.”

>Please note the condition of Israel’s bones as seen by Ezekiel:

1. They were completely open to the elements (verse 2).

2. They were long dead, very dry and utterly beyond any human hope of life (verse 2).

3. They were disassembled and in disarray. The Living Bible records that the bones were very old and dry. They were scattered everywhere across the ground (Read the entire Biblical account).

4. There were an enormous number of bones (verse 2).

>Please note what God said the dry bones symbolized: “Son of man these bones are the whole house of Israel” (verse 11).

>Please note when God says the dry bones shall live again: “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the lord lives who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I have driven them’ And they shall dwell in their own land” (Jeremiah 23: 7-8). This prophecy by Jeremiah has been in the process of fulfillment for many decades.

>Please note by whose authority the dry bones live again: “‘But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed nor shall they be lacking,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23: 1-4; NKJ).

>Please note those who did not believe the dry bones could live again and their punishment: “The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, prophecy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’ For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the gentiles. The sword will come upon Egypt, And great anguish shall be upon Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, And they take away her wealth, And her foundations are broken down. Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people. Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword’” (Ezekiel 30: 1-5; NKJ).

>Ethiopia did not believe the dry bones could live again: Rendered “Cush” in Hebrew, Ethiopia still exists as a nation in our time. The Ethiopians are a people of dark skin tone, and Moses was severely criticized by his sister, Miriam, and his brother, Aaron, for his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1-16; NKJ). Both Miriam and Aaron were envious of the leadership position of their brother Moses. Miriam instigated an open rebellion against Moses and Aaron followed her lead. To justify the rebellion, they used the excuse that Moses had married an Ethiopian (Cushite) woman. Jehovah punished Miriam by striking her with leprosy; however, Moses pleaded with God, “Heal her now oh Lord, I beseech thee.”

God heard the prayer of Moses; He healed Miriam, though not without inflicting profound humiliation upon her; she was ostracized from the people and shut outside the camp for seven days.

According to Psalm 68, verse 31, despite its initial unbelief, Ethiopia “will quickly stretch out her hands to God,” and shall enter into the Millennium.

>Libya (Also called “Phut” in the Bible): Libya did not believe the dry bones could live again: Writings of the 13th and 12th centuries B.C. describe Libya (also referred to as Lubim) as being a hostile, warlike people. During the 12th through the 8th centuries B.C., the Libyans raided Egypt; they later entered as settlers, and also served as soldiers in the Egyptian armies. West of Egypt, Libya still exists as a nation in our time. The Bible is silent regarding the future of Libya during the millennial age.

>Lydia (Also called “Lud” and “Ludim” in some versions of the Bible): Lydia did not believe the dry bones could live again: During the time of Homer, the Pelasgic Meonians - akin to the Trojans - occupied Lydia. From what race the Lydians originated is unknown. The Greeks considered the Lydians and their language barbarous; in actuality, the Lydians were a highly civilized people.

>Assyria (Modern Iraq and Iran) did not believe the dry bones could live again: After the reign of Solomon, all the leaders of Israel approached his son, Rehoboam, who had became king of Israel. “Your father made our yoke heavy:” they told him, referring to the endlessly soaring taxes and other burdens Solomon imposed on Israel in order to finance and facilitate his projects, “now, therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve thee.”

“Return in three days and I will give you my answer,” King Rehoboam replied.

During that period, he consulted with the elders who had served his father, who advised him to do as Israel’s leaders requested, but Rehoboam rejected the advice. Instead, he consulted with the young men with whom he had grown up. They advised him to tell the leaders of Israel, “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist . . . my father put a heavy yoke on you. I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges” [literally: scourges with metal points or barbs] (1st Kings 12: 9-11; NKJ).

When the elders returned for the king’s answer, Rehoboam responded as recommended by his friends. The result was disastrous. Ten of the nation’s tribes separated from the two that remained loyal to the king and formed their own nation. King Rehoboam assembled an army of one hundred and eighty thousand warriors to do battle against the ten separated tribes, but was warned by Shemiah, a prophet sent to him by God, to not battle the separating tribes. He obeyed. The ten tribes became known as the nation of Israel; the two remaining tribes - Judah and Benjamin - became known as Judah.

Over the centuries, Israel digressed into idolatry, intermixed with gentile races, and became known as the Samaritans [Recall the question asked Jesus by the woman at the well, when He requested a drink of water, "How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" (John 4: 4).]

The verse adds this revealing comment by way of explanation for those unfamiliar with the centuries-long dispute between Judah and Israel (Samaria): “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (NKJ).

Judah, on the other hand, remained relatively true - with some major lapses - to the worship of Jehovah. Ezekiel, chapter 23, symbolizes Samaria and Jerusalem (Judah) as two sisters. Both committed harlotry with other nations, Jehovah charged.

Of Samaria - the older sister - the Lord declared, “I have delivered her [Samaria] into the hands of the Assyrians, For whom she lusted” (Ezekiel 23: 9).

Judah - the younger sister - typified by the city of Jerusalem, “became more corrupt in her lust then she [her sister Samaria] and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister’s harlotry” (Ezekiel 23: 11).

“I will sir up . . . the Babylonians, All the Chaldeans [The Chaldeans were a warlike and aggressive people from the mountains of Kurdistan who conquered and ruled many of the great nations of its time] Pekod [Pekod was a powerful Armaenan tribe near the mouth of the Tigris River. During the time of the Prophet Ezekiel, Pekod was within the Chaldean Empire] Shoa [The Shoa were a powerful tribe of Semitic nomads who populated the Syrian desert during the 14th century B. C. They invaded the East Tigris region, migrated to the east of Baghdad and assimilated with the Armaenans. The Shoa never were conquered] Koa [Koa was located east of the Tigris River in the upper Adaim and Diyala rivers region] all the Assyrians . . . and they shall Judge you according to their judgment . . .”

>Egypt did not believe the dry bones could live again:

Incredible as it may appear out generation, during the millennial reign of Christ Jesus, Iraq and Iran [ancient Assyria] Israel and Egypt shall join together in becoming a blessing: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria [Iraq and Iran], and the Assyrian [Iraq and Iran] will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria [Iraq and Iran] - a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria [ Iraq and Iran] the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance” (Isaiah 19: 23-25; NKJ).

Since this author is making this study during an era of bitter hostilities between Israel, Egypt, Iran and Iraq (Assyria) Isaiah’s prediction seems fantastic - impossible of fulfillment, if it were it not for the prophet’s assurance that Egypt “will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptian will know the Lord in that day and will make sacrifices and offerings; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it” (Isaiah 19:20-21).

It shall require a series of calamities that God permits to fall upon Egypt to bring the Egyptians to the Lord ["And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike Egypt and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them" (Isaiah 19: 22)].

Once Egypt comes to the Lord, it shall be one of the three nations - the other two being Israel and Iraq-Iran [Assyria] -

specially blessed by God during the Millennium.

>Many contemporary nations do not believe the dry bones

should live again: Several of them - including the Palestinian nations, Hitler’s Germany and even Great Britain - actively endeavored to prevent the rebirth of Israel. But it was God’s time for the re-gathering of His ancient people from the four corners of the Earth. From almost every nation under the sun they came. After His people had been cast into the world’s “valley of dry bones” for untold centuries, God opened the graves and drew together the dry bones, put flesh on them, breathed life into the nation, and Israel lives!

>From approximately 446 BC until the United Nation’s recognition of the modern State of Israel in our generation, Israel’s territory was under the control of Gentile world powers. Sadly, as recorded by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11: 25, Israel still rejects Jesus Christ as its Messiah; however, Paul added a joyful note, “. . . blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles [the time of Gentile world dominance] has come in [has been completed]. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins’” (Romans 11: 25-27; Paul’s partial quote is taken from Isaiah 59: 20-21).

According to Zechariah 12: 9-10, when the Gentile nations gather in a final attempt to destroy the nation of Israel, God will “seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication: then they will look on Me whom they have pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

What a graphic prediction of the crucifixion of Jesus of and Israel’s future recognition of Him as the true Messiah! Yes, the bones live!

© Josprel (Joseph Perrello)

josprel@yahoo.com

Josprel
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/can-these-bones-live-by-josprel-139725.html

If you are thinking of taking a holiday to Africa this season, then there are many places that you should visit. Some are in South Africa, while others are in other African countries. You not only have option of many destinations you can visit, but also have the facility of many good hotels you can really enjoy your stay in.

The Intercontinental Lusaka in Zambia has an ideal five star location and is great for international travellers. It is very good for holiday as well as business purposes, and offers many facilities for business meetings as well. So if you’re thinking of doing some work during your holidays, this place is ideal for you.

The Intercontinental Abu Soma in Hurghada, Egypt is the most beautiful Red Sea resort in the country. It offers the most stunning view of the beach, and rests on a water front location. The hotel has a very unique and open design. There is also a wide range of restaurants in the hotel which offer international cuisines like Greek and Italian, and there are also restaurants which specialise in Oriental and Sea food.

If you want to experience a mixture of both the old and new, stay in the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe. It is a charming mixture of the old architecture accompanied by modern comfort and facilities. It has a colonial architecture and looks onto the Victoria Falls Bridge. While sitting on the terrace you can also see the spray from the Falls. The Sheraton Addis in Ethiopia is another hotel which represents African elegance. It is located on a hilltop and overlooks the entire city of Addis Ababa. The hotel not only has great facilities for entertainment, but also offers prestigious conference rooms and banquet halls.

In case you want to do some business in South Africa along with entertainment, the ideal location is the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg. It is very well equipped with all the facilities for business travellers. If you want to experience luxury along with a stunning view, the hotel to go to is the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town. The hotel is located at a position where the earth, sky and the sea meet. It is above the Atlantic rollers, and is bordered by the Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Mountain. The hotel has the great azure restaurant, and offers gloriously exquisite cuisine. The greatest thing about the hotel is its magical location.

If you wish to visit a place which is considered to be amongst the most enticing locations, then you should go to the Palace of the Lost City in Sun City. Sun City is considered to be the Vegas of South Africa. It is one of the leading hotels of the world, and you can experience pure lavishness in the residence of an ancient king. The cuisine in the hotel’s restaurants is purely an art which is treasured. For experiencing the true concept of solitude, you should go to the Royal Melawane in Cape Town. The hotel is best for those who want to escape modern life for some time. Other great hotels in Africa are the Bushmans Kloof, Cape Grace, and the Cellars Hohenort in Cape Town.

David R HUghes
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/the-top-10-hotels-in-africa-693733.html

Being the second highest mountain in Africa, Mt Kenya stands tall at 5199m above sea level and Situated 16km south of the equator. This mountain in Central Kenya Highlands is within the Mt Kenya National Park, and is among the most beautiful landscapes in Africa. With three mountain peaks i.e., the Batian, the Nelion and the Lenana providing the perfect backdrop for a fun and adventurous Kenyan mountain vacation. Visitors can go camping in the vast wilderness surrounding Mt Kenya, stay in historic hotels not unlike the dwellings of the area’s early settlers, or stay in a modern, state of the art resorts and Lodges Like The Ark, Nyeri, Treetops and the Mountain Lodge.

The Batian and Nelion are the lowest of the three peaks but surprisingly can only be reached by skilled mountain climbers. Lenana, although the highest peak can be reached by the normal trekking group, though reaching the top could be more challenging than you ever thought of, but with a good guide reaching the peak can become a reality. The glaciers surrounding the mountain, the mist, and the snow covering the top of the mountain yields numerous number of streams down to the base of the mountain. For those who plan to climb the mountain leisurely, you may need four to seven days. Its advisable to carry a tour guide and a porter both of which can be arranged by the Shelter car hire & tours Personnel in Nairobi.

There are a variety of trailed routes to the top of mt Kenya. Visitors wishing to Climbing Mount Kenya can use one of these routes each of which has its own features and characteristics. Each route will exhibit different topography, flora and fauna. These routes are the Sirimon route, the Picnic Naro Moro route, the Burguret route, the Timau route and the Chogoria route which meet at Minto’s hut at 4300m above sea level and overlooking Lake Michaelson. Each entry point to Climbing Mount Kenya is Conveniently dotted with a variety of resorts and camping sites.

It would be important to note that Climbing Mount Kenya can be done with relative ease. Within a Short while you will have risen more meters above sea level than is medically advisable. The Sudden Loss of Oxygen could be disastrous for the less skilled trekkers who could result to headaches and vomiting and could eventually lead to death if not monitored. Many have died climbing Mount Kenya. My Advice is take it slowly. Do it for four to seven days, but you have to strike a balance between your health and the cold temperatures which have a habit of hitting -10 degrees celcius, the rain and the cold winds.

The weather is very harsh in the Mount Kenya region especially during the period from March to August. I would definitely not advise you to climbing Mount Kenya during these periods. But if you do, carry a good sleeping bag, very warm clothing, good quality boots, headgear and gloves. Make sure all your clothing is waterproof since this region rains every other day and sometimes heavily.

A Mt Kenya mountain vacation is a great idea for a group, or as a romantic getaway. Its also a great idea for anyone looking to escape the stressful fast pace of city life. The beautiful scenery and fascinating wildlife attractions will please anyone.

Lucy
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/climbing-mount-kenya-a-great-idea-for-anyone-looking-to-escape-the-stressful-fast-pace-of-city-life-123337.html

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There is controversy about keeping the African Grey parrot in captivity with some people even building a chicken coop to keep them in. It is much better to appreciate this lovely bird in the wild. The African Grey Parrot is restricted to the equatorial forest belt from Guinea-Bissau to Kakamega forest in western Kenya. In Uganda, It is found in appropriate habitat across the south of the country, north to Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison falls protected areas, across the Mabira Forest and Ssese Islands. Different tour companies can organize have guides that can spot this bird.
This beautiful Parrot has two described races or forms which are physically different in appearance, the paler nominate, which is scientifically known as Psittacus erithacus in central east Africa and the darker P.E. timneh in the west with a cline of escalating size from West to East. The sexes are similar, the male becoming darker with age and the young bird is told from an adult by a grey, not yellow iris.
It is a big Parrot, slightly covered in size by the grey headed parrot piocephalus suahelicus (seen only in Uganda at Mgahinga and Bwindi, ruhiza national parks) and usually seen flying overhead in flocks of 2-20, uttering a series of screams, screeches, pops, whistles and croaks. Its demand as a very popular household pet is proving to be the cause of its increasing rarity in the wild, through illegal collecting as well as habitat destruction.
There are only 21 species of parrot in Africa compared to 52 in Australia and 70 in south America.
Traditionally, this species would have been far more wide spread within the forest biome, but the fragmentation of forest cover over its range has reduced it to isolated population in pockets of forest.
In Kampala, we see them usually in the morning and evening coming to and from perch. They are particularly fond of oil palm fruits, of which there are many mature trees in Kampala, planted years ago as ornamental specimens.
Birds flock together at night at traditional communal roost sites(in Gabon traditional roosts of 5-10,000 birds have been recorded!) and depart in the morning to fruiting trees sometimes flying great distances to feed.
Being confined to the equator, it does not have seasonal migration pattern but flies far and wide in response to fruiting trees in different seasons. During the rains it will capitalize on fruiting forest trees not traveling very far, but during the dry season it will often move away from the forest into agricultural areas to feed on maize, causing considerable damage to subsistence crops. It can be seen flying over Lake Victoria between the Sesse Islands and Forest patches in and around Masaka, distances of up to 50km.
African greys nest in large trees, in old growth forests that have plenty of dead wood to support naturally occurring cavities. They will use woodpecker holes and lay 2-4 white eggs.
Parrots are the only birds that have a movable maxilla, the upper bill attached hinge like to the skull. They can exert tremendous power with the bill, which is used to open the more stubborn of nuts and fruit. They have the most remarkable feet, using them not just as other birds do, but as hands to hold food items like a stick of sugar cane in the same way that we way that man would. Instead of normal bird feet, three forward one back, they have two toes pointing forward and two back (Zygodactyls). These feet combined with the bill, which it uses to hold onto branches, enable the bird to climb very well along flimsy branches to reach fruit at the tips, giving it an advantage over other birds its size, which are physically unable to climb in the same way.
Given their impressive natural vocabulary and range of calls, they are very well disposed to pick up new sounds in and around their environment. This is a particular attraction for the bird as a pet, which will imitate everything from cell phone to the toilet being flushed!!
Parrots generally live to a great age the famous sulfur-crested Cockatoo at London zoo lived to 126 years old!!
Without the pressures of survival in the wild, African Greys will live up to 60 years in captivity, and around 40-50 in the wild.
If their breeding habitat is removed, they will be seen mistakenly thriving for years, but not breeding. Eventually the population becomes too old to breed and suddenly over a short period of time dies off.
The main predator, other than man , to prey upon African Grey Parrot is the Black sparrow hawk, the largest of the Accipiter family, sometimes seen around Kampala and Entebbe.. The predator is by nature secretive , ambushing its prey from thick cover. Others include Ayres’s Hawk Eagle and African Harrier Hawk ( or Gymnogene) the latter using its specialized long, double jointed legs to reach into the parrot’s nest-hole to reach the chicks.
With old growth forest severely depleted outside of major reserves, breeding habitat can be simulated in suburban areas. Firewood collection has put great pressure on hole nesting species and those which feed on invertebrates, through the collection of dead wood, which in a forest is as important as live wood.
An exciting activity to experiment with is to install parrot nesting boxes. Anyone in Kampala with a garden having medium to large trees, that attract feeding greys, can try putting up different designs to see if they become occupied.
A basic box shape 250 by 250 cm wide by 600cm long with an entrance hole 12 cm diameter may attract parrots to it. It can also attract bees, so caution is advised as to where it is actually placed. I had a pair of brown parrots nest in a box in Muyenga a Kampala suburb as well as a pair of Burchell’s starling at Kawempe. Black and white casqued Hornbills may also greatly appreciate a tea-chest or beer keg sized nest- box, which they readily take to.
There may be as many as 2000 pet African Greys in Kampala ‘, most having been caught in the wild. Bird breeders who rear African Greys are supposed to fit a closed ring to the leg of the Chick before it grows too big. Therefore an adult with closed ring will probably be a captive bred bird.

Tanah Hadijah
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-african-grey-parrot-63994.html

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Kenya is a land of kaleidoscopic contrasts. Much of its recorded history centres on the Coast. Ptolemy, the great geographer, wrote in the second century AD about Mombasa under the name of Tonike, and the long white coral beaches, verged with palm trees were familiar to Indians, Arabs and Portuguese, as well as later travelers. But now most visitors’ first impression is of the the utterly different scenery outside Nairobi, of the sweeping Athi plains and game straying among the thorn bushes of the Nairobi National Park.

North-west of the capital again, with upland farms reminding one of a sunlit England, with chickens housed in English-style chicken arks as wll as in fenced compunds. Higher still the thick rain forest of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares are as mysterious as the perpetual snow on the Equator is paradoxical. Finally, the arid semi-desert of the north, bordering on Ethiopia and Somalia, seems in yet another world.

Kenya fires the imagination of everyone who comes here. It is not surprising that over the years since independence it has become internationally recognised as one of the most magnificent and exciting holiday areas anywhere.

Geographically the country covers 582,647 sq km (225,000 sq miles) and lies across the Equator. Its Indian Ocean coastline is 608 km (380 miles) long, while its centre is cut by the Great Rift Valley, running north to south and containing a variety of lakes. The largest river is the Tana, which flows in a wide curve eastwards from the slopes of Mt. Kenya (17,058 ft) to the Indian Ocean.

Kenya is home to Arabs, Asians and Europeans as well as more than 48 main African tribes. Some like the Masaai, are famous as warriors. Others like the EL Molo up at Lake Turkana or the Waliangulu Elephant hunters near Tsavo Park, are few in number, shy and still backward. The largest are the Luhya (24%); followed by the Kikuyu (21%) where the head of state comes from; the Luo (20%) on the famous Lake Victoria; the Kalenjin (17%); the Kamba (10%) centred on Machakos and Kitui; the Meru (10%) and the Kisii (6%). The non-African community who include the Asians, Europeans, Americans and Arabs comprise 2% of the population.

The total population stands at 29.3 million. A century ago there was great rivalry between the tribes, but today everything is concentrated on collaboration and Kenya’s motto of Harambee, which means ‘Let’s all pull together’. The Harambee concept has come under a lot of fire recently and politicians have been barred from officiating in any such ventures.

Traditional dances and costumes are cherished as part of the country’s cultural heritage. They are brimful of vitality too and the Chuka drummers, for instance, have drawn crowds to overseas performances in London and elsewhere not to mention the famous Muungano choir and the Kamba dancers. Broadly, there are three ways of getting to see traditional dances:

If there’s a celebration such as on one of the National holidays of the country, there are likely to be public performances.

If you are on a tour, you may find an exhibition arranged at some point, for instance at the Bomas of Kenya in Langata. Perfomances can be seen here from monday to Friday starting 2.30pm-4.00pm, Saturday-Sunday from 3.30pm-5.15pm and public holidays from 3.30pm-5.15pm.

Many Hotels also have their own organised performances. Indeed the fierce dancer wielding a spear may be the same man who earlier carried your suitcase to your room!

One word of caution here. If you happen accidentally upon a local Ngoma which is Swahili for a dance or celebration, make sure to ask if you may stay and watch, especially before taking photographs. These are private affairs.

When the British colonised Kenya they introduced both Asian and European minorities. The Asians came mostly to work on the railway, then branched into trade. Since independence the Asian community has continued to grow in number and in prosperity.

Public holidays, when banks, shops and government offices close are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Madaraka Day (June 1 or the following day if June 1 falls on a Sunday), Kenyatta Day (October 20), Jamhuri or Independence Day which may soon be christened Mashujaa Day (December 12). Additionally the Moslem holidays of Id-ul-Azha are observed by all people of the Islamic faith.

Henry Kimathi
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/kenya-an-open-wonder-249648.html

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To most breeders and pet lovers out there, the African Gray parrot has got to be one of the most charming parrots out there. Known for its wonderful character, the African Gray parrot is also one of the most preferred species for possessing an admirable combination of high intelligence and extraordinary charm.

If you are one of those who were instantly drawn to the beauty of African Gray parrot, it is a must that you supply yourself with enough information about these wonderful birds. If you have kept birds before (such as chickens in a chicken ark) you will know what different personalities birds have.

According to taxonomy, there are basically two subspecies or types of African gray parrot that can be found in today’s pet trade: the Congo African gray and the Timneh African gray. The former type is characterized for being slightly larger than latter with bright, red tail feathers. The Timneh, on the other hand, is overall darker than the Congo African.

When it comes to temperament, there are significant differences between the two. Timnehs are believed to be more laid back and less prone to feather picking and other neurotic behaviors compared to the Congo African gray.

Generally, African Gray parrots live from 25 to 50 years depending on the history of the bird, lifestyle, stress factors, diseases, and other aspect that may affect its lifespan. When it comes to intelligence, this parrot specie is considered as an extremely intelligent bird because of its ability to talk or mimic different sounds and noises and for having a unique capacity for putting their words and sounds into the right context.

Despite its admirable traits, there are some behavior issues you have to deal with when you possess an African Gray parrot. Because of their intelligence, this bird is quite demanding because you need to spend a lot of time in giving social contact and for mental stimulation. A lot of patience and attention should be given to these birds. These birds are also known for biting and feather picking when they get bored or depressed.

Here are some dos and don’ts in taking care of your African Gray parrot:

1. Make sure that you know the specie of your parrot because having a good knowledge the will provide you better guidelines in taking care of it.

2. Make sure that you provide you African Gray with the basics it needs like large and safe cage, good and healthy diet, a wide range of toys, a dependable T-stand, as well as a gym or play stand, scale, and a commercial carrier.

3. If possible, take time off to talk to the breeder and pet shop assistants who have dealt with your parrot. Talking to them will give you an idea how the bird has been treated in the past.

4. Make sure that you objectively assess if the African Grey Parrot is compatible to your living space and lifestyle. Since these birds are quite demanding pets, attention and clean environment will keep them healthy and happy.

5. Because of its quite demanding nature, an African Grey parrot is not suitable for everyone. Make sure that you think a thousand times before purchasing it and have a written guarantee of its age if possible.

6. Never, ever buy an African Gray parrot on impulse because it can be quite stressful.

7. Don’t keep questions to yourself if you want to know something about the bird.

8. Don’t forget to make a list before you go to the breeder so you won’t miss out on important information you need to know in taking care of your pet.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/taking-care-of-an-african-gray-parrot-64679.html

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