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Kazuri Jewelry - features necklaces, bracelets & earrings.
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Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep wearing the world famous Kazuri jewelry
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Picture of the Ngong Hills, the origin of the clay from which Kazuri is crafted. Ngong means "knuckles" in Swahilli.
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A wide range of beads is also available.
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Most people who saw the film, Out of Africa, were taken by the spectacularly beautiful scenes of the Kenyan countryside around Karen von Blixen's coffee farm. This area is now a suburb of Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, and was officially named Karen a number of years ago. Despite the fact that it is only about 30 minutes from the bustling center of Nairobi the area has maintained its rural serenity and beauty at the base of the Ngong Hills.
Situated on what was once a part of Karen von Blixen's coffee plantation there is now a small workshop where ceramic jewelry and beads are made by Kenyan women. It is painstaking work. Many of the beads and necklace components are tiny. Each one has to be shaped carefully, polished, fired, painted and fired again. The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for "small and beautiful"
In the workshop there is a constant buzz that comes from 100 or so women chatting away non-stop while they work. The peoples of the countries of sub-saharan Africa are facing what often seem to be insurmountable problems as they attempt to improve their respective situations in life. With unemployment running from 65% - 90%, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family" of 20 or more. It is particularly difficult for women to find jobs. Those with little or no education find it virtually impossible. Those lucky ones who do find employment are shown great respect by their families and communities.
Kazuri was started in 1975 ast a cottage industry with the social mission of making work for a few women. Initially less than 10 women were employed. As word of the beauty and uniqueness of the Kazuri beads, necklaces and earrings spread, sales increased and approximately 100 people are now employed. Many more wait in the hope of having an opportunity to join the ranks of those talented people who make small and beautiful objects
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