COOPERATION WITH KENYA

ABOUT THE COUNTRY & OUR PARTNERS

Kenya – the East African country located on the Indian Ocean, known to tourists for the Maasai Mara National Park and the Amboseli National Park, among others, ranked 34th among the most populous countries in the world in 2016 with about 46.7 million inhabitants.

THE COUNTRY & THE CULTURE

The landscape is characterized by savannahs, the spectacular Great Rift Valley and mountainous highlands. Kenya's wildlife includes the "Big Five": lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos. Mount Kenya, which gives the country its name, is the highest point in the country at 5,199 m.


Population 1.324 billion, second most populous country in the world and the most populous democracy in the world.

The Maasai, probably the best-known ethnic group in East Africa, have maintained their semi-nomadic lifestyle despite attempts by governments to make them settle down. They are famous as warriors and cattle herders. The colorful beaded jewelry of the Maasai women is some of the most famous jewelry in East Africa and is still of great importance in the everyday life of the Maasai.

Men and women wear pearl jewelry, which indicates age and status in Maasai society.


Every piece worn has a symbolic meaning. So does every color. Red: blood, courage, strength | Orange: warmth, generosity, friendship | Yellow: fertility and growth...

…Green: food and production | White: health and purity | Black: unity, solidarity and harmony.


Our partners in Kenya are Fair Trade Federation members. A cooperative of over 275 Maasai women who live at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park and make traditional beaded jewelry by hand.


Helping people to help themselves is important to us.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT

and by purchasing a product from our Kenya collection, you are directly supporting our partner at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro! We want to help preserve the culture of the Maasai and secure a sustainable income for the Esiteti tribal community...