Utamaduni Bora: Preserving Cultural Knowledge through Open Educational Practices – TBC September 2025
Faculty/Staff: Leticia Kanywuiro (student-led), supervisors: Alana Hoare & Roxane Letterlough
Platform: WordPress
Site link (if applicable): https://utamadunibora.trubox.ca/
Services provided: support with platform training, domain set up, structure, design, and accessibility
Description: Utamaduni Bora is a digital storytelling project, led by Leticia Kanywuiro, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich oral traditions of the Kikuyu people of Kenya. Designed for early childhood educators (Pre-K to Grade 3+), it features bilingual videos narrated in Kikuyu by Rose Wangui Thuo—an Early Childhood Educator with over 30 years of leadership experience and roots in the Kikuyu tribe—and in English by Leticia Kanywuiro. The project is further enriched by beautiful original illustrations from Kenyan artist Caleb Okeke, who has brought these visuals to life in narrated video format. This collection transforms traditional tales into engaging, accessible resources for young learners, complete with teacher guides and interactive activities that foster language development, cultural engagement, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Developed with support from TRU Open Press, Utamaduni Bora is openly licensed for non-commercial use, making it a valuable resource for educators worldwide. By blending cultural authenticity with digital accessibility, the project supports Kenyan immigrant youth and the wider African diaspora in connecting with their heritage while enriching all classroom curricula with diverse perspectives.
A note about the videos: Rooted in Indigenous oral traditions, the stories illustrated and narrated in these videos have been passed down through generations and embody cultural knowledge that may not align with Western copyright frameworks. In respecting these traditions, the videos do not include transcripts, as they are intended to be experienced through listening and viewing. These materials should be approached with respect and reciprocity.
Impact Summary
The average commercial price of this type of rich learning resource, such as a picture book and related lesson plans and activities in Canada (e.g., curriculum themed online videos) typically ranges from $300 to $650+ for schools or $2.50-$12/ student.
- Advantages of Using Openly Licensed Resources like Utamaduni Bora: Utamaduni Bora offers cost-free, accessible materials for educators and learners, with activities available both online and in printable formats to support diverse needs. Teachers can customize and expand the content, adding new stories to suit their classrooms and cultural contexts. The resource fosters cultural connection, identity, and respect among students. Its bilingual videos, illustrations, and interactive activities engage multiple learning styles, while the open license encourages collaboration and sharing among educators to continuously improve and adapt the resource.
