Obamas' Open-Door

On Thursday Jan 22nd 2009 when President Barak Obama and first lady Michelle held an open house at their new home it was fascinating to see how all were willing to wait for this moment. But what caught my attention is the picture of the lady wearing a black Obama head gear and a red Obama kanga. Photo by Larry downing

Maasai Jewelry

Maasai Beadwork & Jewelry

About Maasai Beadwork & Jewelry
Throughout the world, ethnic groups are characterized and identified by dress and ornamentation. The Maasai are, perhaps, one of the most widely recognized people in terms of fashion and decoration, sporting bright colors, intricate patterns, and jewelry that dangles, jingles, and catches the eye. The Maasai conjure up popular images of young brides weighted with beaded ornamentation, numerous, collar necklaces that rhythmically move when they dance, headdresses that drape and accent the facial features, and brightly colored bangles wrapped tightly around forearms. However, while the Maasai have become widely recognized for their beaded ornaments, few westerners have taken the time to understand the history, symbolism, and social meaning of the craft.
Maasai Beadwork & Jewelry History
Beadwork became increasingly popular after 1900when the Maasai began trading with Europeans in nearby Kenya and Tanzania for beads made out of glass and plastic, but it has always been an important aspect of their culture. Traditionally local raw materials such as seeds, skins, copper, bone, gourd and wood were used in the craft. Maasai women have always sat together between their daily tasks of looking after the children, milking the cows, cooking, and constructing homes and animal pens to sit together and make beaded jewelry. To this day beadwork is an important means through which women demonstrate their social understanding and creative capability.
Maasai Beadwork & Jewelry Significance
Jewelry is created mostly for its beauty, which is a very important aspect of Maasai culture. But jewelry is also created and given in the Maasai community to signify special relationships, such as a young couple engaged to be married, or on special occasions, such as the celebration of a successful lion hunt, or worn for one of many ceremonies, like the naming ceremony, or the warrior ceremony, which indicate a rite of passage in the life sequence of the Maasai.
Maasai Beadwork & Jewelry Design & Color Meanings
If a woman constructs a piece of jewelry that is awkward or unappealing, the other women might tease her and quickly point out the flaws in her work. In this way, women learn the rules of the aesthetic eye. This is essential because the color combinations and patterns in Maasai beadwork rely on contrast and balance to create pieces that are eye-catching. Colors also reflect important concepts and elements in Maasai culture. Because the Maasai are traditionally a pastoral people, much of the color symbolism relates to cattle. Red, for example, signifies danger, ferocity, bravery, strength, and especially unity, because it is the color of the blood of the cow that is slaughtered when the community comes together in celebration. Blue is important because it represents the sky which provides water for the cows; and green is important because it represents the land which grows food for the cattle to eat. Green also represents the health of the Maasai community because there is a local plant called olari which grows tall and plentiful, as the Maasai hope they will too. The gourds that hold the milk that are offered to visitors are colored orange, and so this is the color of hospitality. Yellow also suggests hospitality because it is the color of the animal skins on guest beds. Because white is the color of milk, which comes from a cow, considered by the Maasai as a pure and holy animal, white represents purity. White also represents health, because it is milk that nourishes the community. Black represents the color of the people but more importantly the hardships we all go through in life. It suggests that difficult times occur with everyone because those difficulties are part of the same, natural sequence of life.

Source: http://www.maasaieducation.org/shoppingcart/jewelry.php

African arts

African art has retained its origin to date, this is evident in the traditional designs of every type of art in most parts of Africa. Though the expression of art may vary slightly from one geographical region to the other since it depicts the African culture and the social life of each African ethnic tribe, the rich traditional African art designs remain in many forms be it in African masks, African fabrics, African musical instruments, African ladies Handbags, African carvings and in fact all manner of African art and crafts. The symbolic African arts and crafts are only desirable in Africa; this art form has a following worldwide. Art appreciators understand that the creation of African masks and African musical instruments have a specific legacy. Methods for the creation of these items of an artistic nature have been passed down by word of mouth from father to son and mother to daughter for ages. The principle for the creation of these pieces has been for spiritual as well as practical purposes. Traditional African fabrics are generally created using the batik method; this essentially means that the fabrics have been printed with designs using a hand dying method. Making the fabrics unique as well as individual, much more in the line of African arts and crafts than the machine woven or dyed cloth that is prevalent in western societies.The creation of African Masks dates way back into history and some have been know to have been created further back in time than the Paleolithic era. Generally created from wood, African masks are also manufactured using leather, metal and fabric. They are highly prized and sought after today as art pieces but the original intention for them was for ceremonial purposes. The African mask traditionally represents a god or spirit and the wearer was believed to be possessed by the spirit represented by the mask.While African ladies handbags might be believed by some to be a more contemporary art form, they have in fact a very rich history. Although more traditionally worn by males. Generally worn hidden under clothing to contain the proceeds of an unattainable task in order to win the heart of their beloved. African musical instruments are also much sought after by art collectors and musicians alike. Even the banjo, thought to be a western instrument is of African historical origin and hand drumming is very specific throughout the entire continent of Africa as a means to support ritual dance. Many African cultures have used African musical instruments to ward off evil spirits African music is seen as being dynamic and very functional, unlike western music that is designed to merely dance or listen to. African Carvings are very pertinent to African culture and takes the form of many varieties of them, the most common themes in African carving of people are a couple, a woman and child, males with a weapon or animal and a stranger or outsider. African Carving also takes the shape of common household utensils. Bowls may be carved from stone or wood. African arts and crafts have a rich cultural history and are widely sought after by collectors and art appreciators throughout the world.

What to buy in Kenya

Most African countries, has a huge range of cheap souvenirs and collectibles to be purchased along the roadside and in the local markets. While on your Kenya safari don't miss out this opportunity. If its too much of a hassle carrying all your belongings plus bulky gifts relax, Africrafts Safari Gifts have you covered. Spend every minute on your safari enjoying the moment without worrying, and receive all the African sourvirs and gifts at your door step. We will send best quality gifts and souvenirs to your home at affordable prices. Bought sourvirs and gifts on safari just to arrive home with broken pieces? We gurantee to deliver what you buy. Materials include ebony, soapstone, ivory, banana fibre, and more . Note that it is illegal to export products that contain any elements of elephant, rhino or sea turtle.

Tribal souvenirs are available, including Masai masks, Maasai beaded jewellery, kiondas (woven sisal baskets) and natural or decorated calabashes (dried gourds). Bright sarongs (kangas or kikois) make good wearable souvenirs

If you are after quality artwork, it is probably wisest to look in galleries and shops that deal in it rather than trading in the informal sector.

"African Handcrafts".

Think it, make it, and sell it. It's unique and handmade. At a time like this when we feel the effects of hard ecomony there is nothing better than being able to turn a hobby into a business. What a secure way to earn a living while enjoying what you do. To most people this may be an end result deal. My friend shared her story late last year how she got laid off from her job of twenty years. She stated, "I had to think but there was no much time, with a family of three, a house and a new baby on the way the light at the end of the tunnel was getting dim and I was getting desperate day by day". She tried great opportunities to make money at home but lord they all ended up being computer scams. As she narrated the story I thought about various african artist I have met over the years and all their creations. For them they are in the "Jua kali" industries, a swahili phrase meaning "tough times". Despite the daily struggle with economic, political and health crisis, these african artists produce absolutely unique fine african arts and crafts. Their work and the handcrafts must have a therapeutic effects, yet the materials used are natural and recyled hence very eco friendly.

"Obamabilia From Africa! "

By Nafeesa Syeed March 26, 2009
WASHINGTON — Ndiyo Tunaweza!

http://www.africraftz.com/

That's Swahili for "Yes We Can," President Barack Obama's signature campaign line that became just as ubiquitous in his father's native Kenya as it did in the United States. Those words can be found on textiles and posters featured in a new Library of Congress exhibit, "Obamabilia From Africa!," which reflects the excitement Obama's candidacy and victory produced in sub-Saharan Africa.
The library collected the materials from its office in Nairobi as well as from U.S. embassies across Africa during the presidential campaign and inauguration. In the exhibit that opened this week, visitors can see more than 50 items hailing Obama through images and words, including photos, music albums, T-shirts, campaign bumper stickers and even beer bottles.
Curators say the items convey pride that a man with African heritage came to power, and a renewed faith in U.S. democracy. The interest Obama generated abroad is unprecedented, they say.
"American elections have always been of enormous interest to countries around the world," said Mary-Jane Deeb, chief of the library's African and Middle Eastern division, which houses the exhibit. "But this particular election has broken the mold."
Bold lettering on the front pages of numerous African newspapers on display celebrate Obama's win, such as Nigeria's Daily Sun with its headline: "OBA-MAGIC."
Though Obama wasn't vying for their votes, people in African countries still showed their support. Some East African women wore cloth printed with Obama's picture and slogans. One such cloth from Tanzania shows a smiling black-and-white print of Obama on one side and the African continent on the other. (The cloth, known as "kanga," typically is wrapped in two parts, one for the lower body and the other for the upper half.)
Story continues below Obama also inspired African artists, much like he did in the United States. CD covers from Kenya feature Obama-centric song names, like "Obama in the White House" and "A Man of People (obama)."
"Every musician tried to come up with a song" about Obama, said Eve Ferguson, a reference librarian for East Africa and co-curator of the exhibit. "Just about every song about Obama became a hit."
The new president's parents _ his father Barack Obama Sr., was Kenyan and mother Stanley Ann Dunham was from Kansas _ are deceased, but his heritage is a source of pride. In one of the few items that doesn't feature Obama's image, a campaign button shows a lion's face with the words, "Kenya ... Proudly Obama's Roots."
The Kenyan government even got in the game, using Obama's celebrity to spread messages to the public. A large ministry of health poster shows a photo of a doctor taking blood samples from Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, saying they know their HIV status. "Do you and your partner know yours?" the poster asks.
Other countries represented in the exhibit include Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Angola and South Africa. The display runs through July 31 and library officials say they plan to periodically replace the items, as they continue to receive more memorabilia from overseas.

Article May be subject to Copyright,Origin: The Huffington Post

"We have obama fries"

African merchants big on Obama memorabilia
By Simona Siad, For Canwest News Service

Published May 9, 2009

Joyce Wong for Canwest News ServiceVendors

all over East Africa are selling wares embellished

with Obama's face or name.

It was around lunchtime as I wandered aimlessly down the white sandy beaches of Paje -- a stunning stretch of coastline located on the eastern side of the tropical East African island of Zanzibar.
The serene silence was broken suddenly by the sound of a young voice calling out to me from across the beach.
"Miss! Come eat at our restaurant. We have barbecue chicken, fish and shrimp."
Not exactly in the mood to deal with a persistent beach boy, I continued walking. He offered one last attempt to catch my attention.
"We have Obama fries!"
He had me. I stopped walking and looked back at the entrepreneurial salesman, who looks to be around 17 with twinkling eyes.
"You should try them," he laughed. "They are world famous."
From magazines covers to television shows to bestselling books it has been no secret that the best way to sell anything in the past four months is to attach U.S. President Barack Obama's name to it or silkscreen his face on it.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in sub-Saharan Africa, where despite hard economic times and lagging tourism numbers, such countries as Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi are exploding with Obama paraphernalia, tours and presidential tourism gimmicks.
I had the opportunity to witness this phenomenon first-hand. After finishing a human rights media trainer
contract in Malawi, I travelled for three weeks through Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi in January following the presidential inauguration. The first change was quite apparent.
As any Canadian who has visited Africa can attest, children will often chase you as they shout and laugh: "Muzungu, Muzungu, Muzungu!"
Muzungu is an endearing or hostile (depending on the person) word meaning "white person" in many Bantu languages of east, central and southern Africa.
It is commonly used to describe any "foreigner" of any racial background who is not from indigenous African descent.
But this time was different as I walked through the crowded streets of Kariakoo, an area near downtown Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania.
Children, assuming I was American, chased me and gleefully shouted: "Obama, Obama, Obama!"
Continuing upward toward northern Tanzania and Kenya, I was shocked at the smiles, handshakes and instant camaraderie that ensued with native Tanzanians and Kenyans the moment I said the magic word: Obama.
One newspaper seller's face lit up when we began discussing the famous politician on the front page of the Kenyan daily newspaper he was selling. "Oh, today is a great day for Kenya," he said excitedly. "Do you want to take a picture of me?"
Another time I was standing in line at a food counter in the Nairobi airport behind a group of Kenyan businessmen, when one loudly announced he wanted to order the "Obama."
His quip broke the silence and had the whole line laughing as the women served the man the brown bottle of Senator Keg beer, known in Kenya as the "Obama."
Then there were the plethora of Obama souvenirs.
The most popular was the Obama kanga -- a colourful garment worn by women and occasionally by men throughout eastern Africa.
Coming in a variety of colours, the Obama kanga depicts a silkscreened picture of the president, a map of Africa and text in Swahili that translates to say: "Congratulations Barack Obama" and "Love and Peace have been given to us by God."
"Come on, buy one," urged one shop owner in Stonetown, Zanzibar.
"I will even give you the local price, not the Muzungu price," he assured me.
In Arusha, northern Tanzania, I discussed politics with a Maasai tribesman who was trying to sell me a beautifully beaded Obama bracelet - at the price of a five-night hotel stay. When I tried to barter for it, he said "Sorry, I wish I could, this is a big seller for me ... but you should add me on Facebook!"
During my three weeks of travelling, I noticed something exciting, something that seemed to be spreading.
If that's not change, I'm not sure what is.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Kenya Cuisine (Ugali)

Ugali Ingredients

1 cup milk
1¼ cups cornmeal
1 cup water
Directions
Measure 1 cup of milk into a bowl. Slowly add ¾ cup or cornmeal, beating constantly, until the mixture is like paste.
Photo by Tim(Ugali, kales and beef stew.

Heat 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan until it boils. Using a wooden spoon, stir cornmeal and milk paste mixture into the boiling water. Reduce heat.
Slowly add remaining « cup of cornmeal, stirring constantly. The mixture should be smooth, with no lumps.
Cook for about 3 minutes. When the mixture begins to stick together and pull away from the sides of the pan, remove from heat.
Pour mixture into a greased bowl and allow to cool.
Serve at room temperature. The traditional way to eat ugali is to pinch off a piece of the dough with the right hand. An indentation pressed into the wad of dough is used as a scoop for sauce or stew.
Adapted from Lois Sinaiko Webb, Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students, Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx, 1995 p. 2.

Explore world Arts and Crafts

Art and Crafts
Kenya art & artifacts is fascinating aspect of expressing the people's culture. Beautifully carved wood sculptures are produced in large quantities and sold to the tourists both locally and abroad. These sculptures show exquisite detail and craftsmanship. Other popular Kenya artifacts include colorful hand-woven sisal baskets, Maasai beaded jewelry, gold and silver jewelry, musical instruments, soapstone sculptures, tribal masks, figurines, paintings, prints, batik cloth, kangas and the beautiful traditional Kikoys (African sarongs). Music & Dance An integral role in the social and religious lives of Kenyans is the traditional music and dance, which forms an important part of Kenya culture.

Obama Kanga/Fabric cloth/Wrap Africa

A Kanga is a patterned cloth used as clothing by women in East Africa. Women often wear two at the same time, one draped over the shoulders, the other as a skirt. Kangas are often created to celebrate important events, and what better than to celebrate Obama's election as President of the United States? Includes Swahili inscription Hongera Brack Obama. Upendo na amani ametujalia mungu, which means, "Congratulations Barack Obama. Love and Peace have been granted to us by God."
check http://www.africraftz.com/ for unique and exotic safari gifts ideas and collectibles from Kenya,
Fabric measures 63" by 42" with inscription, picture, and map.