Exciting wildlife, stunning landscapes, unique African culture, fascinating tribal life are the enticements that come to our mind when we think of Kenya. However, as a tourist, shopping is something that we definitely should have in our mind, because Kenya offers extremely tempting choices of souvenirs. If you wish to take home a bit of the fascinating Kenyan culture, many lively markets sell beautiful handicrafts, tribal jewelry, and many more attractive things. Although most of the stuff won’t burden your pockets, still bargaining is highly recommended. The next thing you would want to know is what can be the most interesting things to bring home other than memories. This is why we have chosen the best ideas for you so that you don’t have to worry about what to buy in Kenya.
1. Kitengala Glass
Ever thought of wearing fancy glass earrings made of recycled glass? You can find them in Kenya. It is called Kitengela Glass. It is scrap glass recycled, melted down and restyled into stunning objects. The artifacts made from the bright colored glass look so spectacular that you just feel like you keep gazing at them. You get gorgeous looking lamps, chandeliers, sculptures, glasses, flower vases, glass windows and a beautiful array of other decorative objects. It depends on how much you want to splurge, there are smaller items like earrings, glassware, or beaded curtains and the bigger items can be furniture with wonderfully done mosaic. There are several shops where you can spend hours browsing through this amazing craft.
2. Maasai Beads
Maasai is one of the many tribes in Kenya, which is specifically renowned for its unique and home-made beadwork. You will see women making magnificent pieces of jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and chokers, but necklaces hold a special place. The different colors of beads represent power, health, prosperity, hospitality, love, and beauty. For example, the red-colored beads are fit for the warriors as they symbolize power. Further, the kind of jewelry worn by a Maasai woman denotes her age, status, and other characteristics. The bright colors and intricate patterns make these must-haves. You can buy the heavier pieces for adorning the walls of your home. Buying these beads directly from the Maasai people is the best option as it ensures authenticity.
3. Kikoy and Maasai Shuka
Dress like a Maasai in the Maasai Shukas, the traditional attire of the Maasai tribe. Also called the ‘African blankets’, these are beautifully woven, and a bit thicker than Kikoy wraps. You can use these as tablecloths, picnic blankets or wrap it like a scarf to keep you warm during winters. You will find most of the Maasai Shukas is the shades of red as it is this tribe’s favorite color. Kikoys have stunning looking patterns, and this fabric can be worn like a sarong, can be used as a sling to carry kids, or use it as a curtain, tablecloth or simply as a wall-hanging. So, if you are thinking of getting an exceptional gift or souvenir, then these African fabrics can be great choices. It is advisable that you unfold and check the size before buying.
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4. Kiondo
Made from local products of Kenya – sisal, along with leather and wool – Kiondos are handwoven handbags, which are made by women belonging to the Kikuyu, Kamba and Taita tribes. First, the outer layer of the Sisal plant is taken and then what follows is a cumbersome process of drying the layers, finalizing a design, and weaving. Thus, it takes almost 2-3 weeks for a bag to be completed and the outcome undeniably looks fabulous. The word ‘kiondo’ means basket and these not only look extraordinary but are extremely sturdy, and spacious as well. The tribal women use these to store wood, carry grocery and other household stuff. Also, you can request them to adorn the bags with Maasai beads. You can pick as many you wish as they are very soft and can be easily folded.
Kenya Tour Guide
Samuel Njoroge
5. Leather products
Leather products always make us happy and can make great gifts too. Even Kenya is home to an authentic and excellent array of leather bags, wallets, belts, shoes, and accessories. Renowned for its great quality and toughness, these exotic and handcrafted leather products look very elegant and can complement any look or costume. Whether you are looking for a stylish handbag or a carry-it-all bag for a short trip or briefcases, you will find it all. Few of the popular leather producers in Kenya like Luxury Leather Africa, Rift Valley Leathers, and you will find many markets selling these products.
6. Macadamia nuts
These delicious snacks can drive you nuts because they are so addictive that you can go on and on. With numerous health benefits along with being loaded with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fibers, these can prove to be an excellent addition to your diet. Macadamia nuts can quickly become your favorite snack and the next thing you want is to bring lots of them home. Previously, the Kenyan used to grow these to protect the coffee bushes from too much sunlight. However, with the escalating demand and popularity, the farmers started focusing on planting Macadamia. Today, Kenya is reputed as the third-largest manufacturer of Macadamia nuts. So, if you are looking for an edible souvenir, then this is the one.
7. Beaded bowls
The craftsmanship of the women belonging to the Kenyan tribes is evident from the extremely attractive range of handmade products available here. One is which are the beaded bowls, which are crafted by the Samburu tribe belonging to Northern Kenya. In this tribe’s culture, such beaded bowls are given as wedding gifts. Besides being used to decorate jewelry, the African beads are also used to make these marvelous looking bowls that come in different sizes. With the help of small pliers, colorful glass beads are fixed on copper wires to create different kinds of designs. You will find these bowls in many shops, but the Maasai market is a great spot if you are looking for variety.
Tip from tour guide
A fun fact about the Samburu tribe of Kenya is that they are sometimes referred to as the "butterfly people." This is because of their beautiful hairstyles, attire, and ornaments made from beads, shells, animal skin, and brass. The women of the tribe adorn themselves in beautiful multi-colored beaded necklaces and other traditional jewelry, a depiction of their arts and culture.s
8. Coffee
The strong aroma and flavor of coffee are always very inviting. If you are a coffee lover, then coffee is something that you must have on your shopping list while visiting this country. Kenya being East Africa’s biggest coffee producer is home to several coffee brands that are loved and admired worldwide. Hence, a cuppa Kenyan coffee is a must-try and the taste is so distinctive that even the most hard-to-please coffee lover won’t be able to resist buying it. Many tours can take you to the popular Kenyan coffee farms; specifically, Kenya Nyeri Hill Estate Peaberry and Kenya Nyeri Ngunguru are two of the best coffee brands with farms having stunning views. You can even buy coffee from the malls and shops across Kenya.
9. Kanga
Also called Leso, Kanga is a traditional costume worn by Kenyan women. This rectangular-shaped cotton cloth comes in bright colors and has a very ornamental border. What is peculiar to this colorful fabric is that each one comes with an interesting Kiswahili proverb printed outside its border. Usinisumbue, which means ‘don’t bother me’ or adui mpende, which means ‘love your enemy’, are a couple of them. Worn by numerous women, it is quite a favorite fabric in this country. Further, it is suggestible that you buy four to five pieces in continuation and then cut as per your requirement. So, you can rock it as a head wrap, a scarf, skirt, as beachwear, or as curtains, tablecloth, bed cover, etc.
10. Akala
maasai scorpion for him and her
Posted by Akala Sandals on Thursday, 2 February 2012
Ever heard about footwear made out of recycled tires? Yes, you read it right! That is what is an Akala. This doesn’t mean that these don’t look stylish. The finished products look so elegant and attractive that it is difficult to believe that something like this can be prepared from old and discarded tires. Further, be assured that these will last much longer as compared to your usual footwear. Mostly worn by Kenyan men, Akalas come in different sizes and colors so you might find a pair in your favorite color. Also, if you want your Akala to look more attractive, you can request them to decorate it with beads for which they mostly don’t charge extra. This undeniably is a very unique souvenir to bring from Kenya.
Get set, shop
While you are in Kenya, one of the most highly recommended activities is shopping because who would not want to buy such unique stuff. Ranging from traditional tribal jewelry to high-leather stuff, Kenya has something for all its visitors. Be it the pickiest one to the crazy shopaholic, Kenya can be a true haven for both these kinds of shoppers. So, now that you have the list of what to buy from Kenya, ready with you, just pick your wallet and head out to shop the best keepsake.
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