I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a while but I’ve been hard
at work on a special project. While out at the market a few weeks ago I had the
opportunity to learn how to make a kiondo. A kiondo is a traditional hand woven
basket very common in Kenya. They are used by women to carry just about
everything and are carried with a strap that can be put over a shoulder when
carrying light things or across the front of the chest when carrying a heavy
load. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Throughout our time here, I had seen a great many of them
and wondered just how they were made. During
our visit at the market in Karatina to purchase a couple kiondos, the sales
woman was kind enough to go through the steps to making them. I listened attentively
and hoped I would be able to remember how to make one. She was also so kind as
to give me the yarn used for weaving and I was able to purchase the strands
used for the framework.
My first attempt at making one did not work out well as
the bottom of my basket was a bubble and not flat. My second attempt turned out
very well. Once I got the bottom of the basket weaved I had a problem, how do I
make the basket turn so as to come up along the sides. Again, a very kind
Kenyan woman came to my rescue. I spent an afternoon with our driver Ephrim’s
mother and she shared with me some valuable tips to continue with my basket,
including getting the basket to turn, a better technique and how to finish the
basket.
So for the last two weeks, I have been hard at work
weaving away in the evenings after our time on the farms. I’m very happy to say
that I have completed my first kiondo before leaving the region that thought me
how to make them.
Where is your shop located?
ReplyDeletehi Nancy.i am writing from Nairobi Kenya.i have been interested in learning how to make kiondo but i have not been succeful in finding someone who can teach me.i work as a clerk in matatu/bus company and i am bearly able to support my self.i am 30 years of age having completed high school back in 2007. i attend a computer college here in Nairobi.My question is can you kindly give me the contact of Ephrim the driver who took you to karatina market where you learnt kiondo making from a sales woman there.aslo can you kindly give me the name of the shop and contact of the sales woman who taught you kiondo making so that i can organize and get in contact with her and see if i can visit her in karatina market so that she can also teach me how to make kiondos.i am willing to invest funds to learn this hand craft and i do not mind traveling to karatina to get the learning.please contct me on:kamirimuhinja@yahoo.com or muhinjadread@gmail.com.before i forget my name is Brian Muhinja Kamiri.i attended a catholic day high school in Nairobi kenya.please kindly assist me.i dont want to give up on this interest and love i have for basket/kiondo making.thanks.God bless.Brian.
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