Itinerary

This trip starts from Kisumu City through the Kisumu - Ahero - Sondu route to kisii. From the heat of Kisumu City, you move on to a relatively cool area of the beautiful Western Highlands; Kisii land. First stop is at Tabaka near Kisii, home to Kenya's finest stone carvers. The Kisii / Gusii community are renowned for their artistic skill with the local soapstone. They have a long tradition of carving ornate decorative art and jewelry, together with functional items such as plates and bowls. The stone is found in a series of large open quarries throughout the Gucha area, which have also proved equally rich in uncovered fossil evidence and prehistoric artifacts. Cooperative workshops have been formed to produce work for the international market. Kisii stone is sold worldwide, and several works by Tabaka artists have found a place in major international art collections. Tabaka soapstone graces the UN HQ in New York, and the UNESCO HQ in Paris, in the form of a massive 7- ton "bird of peace"� or Enyamuchera.

The success of this industry shows in the town of Tabaka, where every household seems to be busily engaged in carving, polishing, washing and packaging stoneware. This very success has meant the preservation of a very important cultural tradition. A visit here is an excellent opportunity to experience this rich culture and to purchase some beautiful handcrafted works of art.