During the month of March, Global Gifts on Mass Ave has been focusing on celebrating and highlighting different products and artisan groups from Kenya. We would like to share a few Fun Facts about Kenya!
- Kenya, located in East Africa, is home to 47 distinct ethnic groups. The largest of these groups are the Kikuyu, the Luyia and the Luo.
- Kenya borders the Indian Ocean in East Africa. With Lake Victoria to the west and coastal plains to the east, much of the country has a temperate climate. To the north are arid grasslands.
- Jambo! is a traditional Swahili greeting. English and Swahili are Kenya's official languages.
- Tropical fruits like pineapples, mangoes, oranges, bananas and papaya are abundantly available in Kenya.
- Family is important to Kenyans. In rural areas, multiple generations may share a single home; in urban areas nuclear families tend to share a single home.
- Tourists, who visit Keneya's big game parks and tropical beaches, provide and important source of revenue for the country.
- Price increases and shortages of basic commodities, water and power have become normal for Kenyans and unemployment remains high.
- Fair Trade provides jobs and opportunities to Kenyans who might now otherwise have a steady means for income.
Stop by any Global Gifts location for the opportunity to see the skill and handiwork of artisans from Kenya!
Source: Makers, Methods and Materials: Ten Thousand Villages