Cottage Industries in Machakos
Wamunyu Handicraft Society: Heritage Art
That the Akamba Community are fairly good carvers is easily demonstrable at the Wamunyu Handicraft Society where exquisite sculptors are stenciled, fabricated and displayed. Wamunyu Handcrafts is to the Akamba what the Tabaka Soaptone Industry is to the Gusii, a fine display an affinity and kindred tradition of carving refined by each new generation of carvers. Began in 1965, Wamunyu Handicraft Society which employs about 2200, boasts of the most talented wood carvers in Eastern and Central Africa. It’s found at the southeast corner of Machakos County and about 42 km easterly of Machakos town via the C97 Machakos-Kitui Road.
Wamunyu also serves as a great stopover for trippers aiming for Kitui (and vice-versa) where they can get a firsthand demonstration of how the Akamba design and handcraft their eye-catching and ornately decorated carvings. History has it that the Akamba learned carving from the Makonde, a tribe of gifted carvers from Tanzania. During World War One, Mutisya Munge, a native askari for the British colonial army, learned the art of wood carving from the Makonde. On his return to Wamunyu in Ukambani, Munge continued to carve and invent new designs. He shared his knowledge with his family and friends who took to carving as work.
Cottage industries play a vital role in Kenya’s economy, particularly in rural areas where they provide employment and preserve traditional skills. These small-scale, home-based enterprises are diverse and contribute significantly to local economies. Cottage industries In Kenya are diverse and integral to the cultural and economic fabric. For the travellers, these offer colourful and friendly markets.
Index of Cottage Industries in Kenya
Embu County - Ancient Mbeere Terraces, Kakamega County - Ilesi Pottery Centre, Rosterman Mines, Kisii County - Tabaka Soapstone, Kwale County - Lima Self Help Group, Lamu County - Matondoni Boat Workshop, Manda Coral Mining, Machakos County - The Masaku Flea & Curio Market, Wamunyu Handicraft Society, Makueni County - Makueni Fruit Plant, Makindu Handicrafts, Migori County - Macalder Mines, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Curio, The Bombolulu Workshop, Akamba Handicraft Society, Nairobi County - Masai Market, Utamaduni Craft Centre, Narok County - Kikoy Market, Vihiga County - Kichutu Gold Mine, Givavei Artisans, Obida Ombima Mill, Wajir County - Wajir Livestock Market, West Pokot County - Alale Gold Mines
outlook
Part of the larger Ukambani alongside Kitui and Makueni, Machakos County is a nexus between Maasailand, the coast region, the central highlands, and Nairobi. The northern area of Machakos, being a dormitory zone for the capital of Nairobi and a peri-urban buffer for Kiambu, is developed with useful amenities. Southerly heading the ecology is continually semi-arid and the countryside more desolate.
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A Guide to Machakos County
A Summa Digest of Machakos
About Machakos Way Back When
45 Destinations in Machakos County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Makuyu Ridge, Masinga Dam, Seven Forks Circuit, Mwea National Reserve, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Ol Donyo Sapuk Resort, MacMillan Castle, Fourteen Falls, Yatta Plateau, Kanzalu Range, AIC Kangundo, The Komarock Shrine, Hyena Caves, Kitonga Garden Resort, The Thui Stone, African Heritage House, Athi-Kapiti Conservancy, Kwa Kyelu Wildlife Sanctuary, The Whistling Moran, Stony-Athi, Small World Country Club, Swara Plains Conservancy, Lukenya Hills, Kikao Camping Farm, Lukenya Motocross, Maanzoni Sanctuary, Amazing Kenya Retreat, Chumvi Tamu Camp, Konza Technopolis, Machakos Peoples Park, Masaku Flea and Curio Market, Old Fort of Machakos, Gelian Hotel, Kiima Kimwe, Machakos Golf Course, Mua Hills, Mua Hills Tented Camp, Iveti Forest Reserve, AIC Mumbuni, Kituluni Hill, Kamuthanga Farm, Wamunyu Handicrafts
Know More About Machakos County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Generally speaking, Machakos has a temperate to warm climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 12°C to 27°C. Climate in much of the area is pleasant and similar to that of Nairobi, and finest below the hill ranges. Rain is heaviest in March, April and September.
Machakos County has rather unique topographical map – Hills and a small plateau in the mid area, a large plateau elevated in the south, and isolated hillscape in the north.