When you travel to the beautiful country of Kenya, you'll undoubtedly want to bring back some special gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Kenya is rich in artisanal crafts, vibrant fabrics, and unique products that make for memorable and culturally significant presents. Here are some fantastic Kenyan gift ideas to consider:
1. Maasai Beadwork
Jewellery: Bracelets, necklaces, and earrings made with colourful Maasai beads are beautiful and distinctive.
Accessories: Beaded belts, keychains, and sandals.
Kenyan jewellery is distinctive and stylish, often incorporating elements like cow horn, bone, wood, and vibrant beads. Look for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings handmade by local artisans. The Maasai tribe is famous for its beaded jewellery made from tiny, circular beads that carry cultural meaning and significance in their colours and patterns.
2. Kikoi and Kanga Fabrics:
Kikoi: A traditional Kenyan wrap often used as a sarong. They come in vibrant colours and patterns.
Kanga: Brightly coloured cloths with Swahili sayings. They can be used as wraps, skirts, or decorative items.
The bright, boldly printed Kanga fabrics make for wonderful gifts in the form of sarongs, shawls, or just the fabric itself to be made into clothing or accessories back home. The Kikoy, which is a thin, sturdy fabric woven with cotton and sometimes blended with nylon or silk, can be brought home as a beach throw, scarf, or casual wrap.
3. Wood Carvings:
Animal Sculptures: Hand-carved wooden animals such as elephants, giraffes, and lions.
Masks and Statues: Traditional African masks and figures, often depicting cultural stories and symbolism.
Kenya is renowned for its talented wood carvers who create incredibly intricate and detailed pieces from regional woods like ebony, olive wood, and jacaranda. Popular carved items include animal figurines, masks, walking sticks, bowls, and decorative boxes. The Akamba carvers from Eastern Kenya are particularly well-known for their exquisite workmanship. These carvings make beautiful home decor pieces.
4. Soapstone Carvings:
From the Kisii region, these are beautiful and smooth carvings of animals, dishes, and decorative items.
5. Kenyan Coffee and Tea:
Coffee: Kenya is famous for its rich, flavorful coffee beans.
Tea: Kenyan tea, particularly black tea, is known for its quality and taste.
As one of the world's foremost coffee producers, you can't go wrong with bringing back some high-quality Kenyan coffee beans or grinds for the java lovers in your life. Kenyan coffee is acclaimed for its rich flavour and bright, wine-like acidity. Brands like Kahawa AA and Nguvu are top choices to look for.
6. Batik Art - Wall Hangings and Tablecloths
Textiles and art pieces are made using the batik method, creating vibrant and intricate patterns.
Beautiful hand-batiked fabrics made using wax-resist dyeing methods are used to create vibrant wall hangings, tapestries, tablecloths, and bedspreads. These make for stunning home accents with an authentic Kenyan vibe.
7. Spices:
A variety of spices are commonly used in Kenyan cuisine, such as curry powder, tea masala, and pilau masala.
8. Leather Goods:
Handcrafted leather items like bags, wallets, and sandals.
9. Basketry:
Woven baskets are made by various communities, such as the Kiondo baskets from the Kikuyu and Kamba people.
The art of basket weaving is deeply rooted in many Kenyan tribes, with each group having their own unique style and patterns. You'll find all sorts of baskets woven from sisal, reed, banana leaves, and even paper for sale as decor pieces and storage containers.
10. Handmade Soap and Skincare Products:
Natural and handmade soaps, lotions, and skincare products made with local ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil.
11. Local Music and Instruments:
CDs or digital music from Kenyan artists.
Traditional musical instruments like drums, shakers, and thumb pianos.
12. Paintings and Art:
Paintings from local artists depicting African landscapes, wildlife, and culture.
When selecting gifts, consider the cultural significance and the craftsmanship of the items. Supporting local artisans and fair-trade markets ensures that your purchases benefit the local communities.
13. Kazuri Ceramic Beads and Figurines
The Kazuri workshop in Nairobi produces gorgeous handmade and hand-painted ceramic beads and pottery figurines of animals and people. Each one is a unique work of art made from high-fired clay using traditional methods. Kazuri's products are fair trade and provide employment for disadvantaged Kenyans.
No matter what types of gifts you choose to bring back from your Kenyan travels, your friends and loved ones are sure to appreciate and treasure these one-of-a-kind handicrafts and products that capture the spirit and artistry of this East African nation.
