Shopping in Kenya couldn’t be any better! When traveling around, you will come across a variety of arts and crafts, many of them reflecting regional traditions and designs.
What you will find most are textiles, batiks, soapstone & wood carvings. Bead-work and traditional utensils made out of gourds are also very popular, but Kenya’s most important artisan traditions are ironwork, metal jewelery and basket ware. They go back centuries in some communities!
The Maasai bead-work jewelery is particularly popular, with traditional and modern range of designs geared more and more to the tourist market. The leather/beaded bracelets can be worn by women and men and are great gifts to bring home.
It is interesting to note the different types of tribal bead-work; the Maasai and Samburu bead-work differs significantly from that of the Pokot or Turkana. For example the different colored beads that are being used. The bead-work can be anything from jewelery, belts, sandals and keyrings.
Wooden carvings tend to come from the Kamba people who are specialized in them; there are people, animals, bowls and spoons to napkin rings.
Soapstone art is mostly produced by the Kisii carvers with beautiful paintings on small little boxes, chess sets, plates and little animal & people statues. If you hold them close enough to your nose, you can SMELL the soapstone!
Banana fiber picture, tribal masks and wire toys can easily be found by the big open markets, curios stalls and street vendors.
More about Crafts and Markets in Kenya and Directory!
As far as for the textile; they are absolutely wonderful, colorful with endless different designs, light to pack and fantastic gifts and souvenirs to bring home.
There is also an excellent variety of Contemporary Art in Kenya with a number of specialized art galleries. It has more info on this and a List of Galleries for you to check out!
When you are shopping in Kenya, bargaining is almost always the order of the day. To approach this with a sense of humor and a friendly attitude is your best option. Starting prices are almost always exaggerated and determined on what the seller things the customer can pay – the 'real' price can sometimes be less than half, or more, than that of the initial price.
How much shopping in Kenya you’d like to do and what you can take home will depend on the size of your suitcase and on how much you are willing to carry around. (...and pay on overweight! ;-)
Some dealers will ship items for you, but make sure they will pack everything well, especially soapstone & wood carvings.
One more thing; be careful and aware of items made of ivory! Besides that it is against the law in many countries to import, it also kills elephants!!! Thank you!
Crafts & Markets in Kenya with Directory Return from Shopping in Kenya back to Kenya Travel Ideas home page
Contemporary Art in Kenya - List of Galleries
Attractions & Sights in Kenya
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