Junction mall aids artisans earn a living

Where do you go if you need to get beautiful unique, carefully handcrafted African art and jewellery?

Where do you often suggest a tourist to visit if they want good quality Kenyan souvenirs? Maasai Market is a place that comes to mind for many.

The Maasai Market has evolved over the years from a small market of indigenous Maasai people making and selling their crafts, to what it is today.

Cumulatively the Maasai Markets accommodate thousands of vendors selling different authentic African artifacts.

They have grown from open-air markets that were mostly in towns to being hosted in major shopping malls, in what has been termed as formalising this art scene.

Amongst the pioneer malls to start this is The Junction Mall in Nairobi which recently celebrated 10 years of hosting its Musical Maasai Market.

In 2011, Knight Frank Kenya, the managing and marketing company for The Junction Mall started hosting an open air Musical Maasai Market.

“We wanted to promote and preserve Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and as part of this commitment, we decided to invite vendors to sell Kenyan arts and crafts within an open-air space in at the mall,'' Mwihoti M’Mbijjewe, head of marketing Knight Frank Kenya.

After 10 years, The Junction Musical Maasai market has grown to over 200 vendors selling a wide variety of jewellery, wood and soap stone sculptures, curios, traditional masks, mats, sisal baskets,paintings, print batiks, kangas, beaded artefacts and souvenirs for sale to both tourists and locals.

The mall further complimented the market by featuring more of Kenya’s diverse cultural backgrounds.

This they did by collaborating with Shangari Communications, a community-based organisation with a focus on promoting and preserving the African culture.

Through Shangari Communications, the market started hosting a crew of traditional dancers, dancing and singing to different folk songs.

The performances are accompanied by exuberant drum beats creating the perfect picture of a culturally blended market.

“The Musical Maasai Market contributes towards youth job creation and socio-economic sustainability, because it offers youth in the performing arts an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s diverse culture," says Alakie Mboya.

This is done through contemporary dances, songs and folklore, accompanied by rhythmic traditional drums and African instruments, as well as the adornment of colourful costumes.

Patrick Njau, one of the pioneer vendors who has been in the market for the past nine years echo’s Alakie Mboya’s sentiments on the market being a key source of income to the vendors.

“Through the Maasai Market, I have been able to make key investments such as educating my children, buying land and creating employment to artisans who help me collect and make paintings, which is my core business,” he says.

Michael Kariuki, another pioneer trader has also been selling paintings and bead works at the market for the past nine years.

He learnt the trade from his brother-in-law and through his earnings at the market, Michael has been able to educate his children and still remains a source of livelihood for his family and grandchildren.

His work attracts both the locals and tourists who frequent the market.Another vendor, Mary Nduati, an African attire vendor, credits the market for having been instrumental in the growth of her business.

“I have been trading at the Musical Maasai Market for the past six years.

From just a small capital, my business has grown to employ five people and set up a permanent shop within the city,” she says.

“Moreover, I have over time come to understand the needs of my clients to now come up with my own designs which I share with my tailors to bring to life,” she remarks.

“We are proud that the Musical Maasai Market offers a thriving public venue for Kenyans and tourists to enjoy the cultural heritage of our country and revel in a truly authentic Kenyan experience.

An array of arts and crafts as well as live musical dance performances, allow both the tourists and locals to take away a piece of Kenya to adorn themselves or their homes,” says Mwihoti M’Mbijjewe.