Jewellery: Nasimiyu Upholding Cultural Traditions
[Image credit: Nasimiyu]
An abundance of colourful beads strung, woven and twisted together form the striking jewellery pieces jewellery from Nasimiyu. Designed to go beyond mere adornment, the laden pieces are created by Nasimiyu Wekesa, a Kenyan jewellery designer based in the USA, who through each tells a story of past and present. Nasimiyu believes that beads are personal possessions, ones that remind us of our ancestors and serve to connect us to our cultural traditions and heritage. Nasimiyu is inspired by the various uses and symbolism of beads in traditional African cultures, such as beads given during rites of passage ceremonies to a glimpse of the sensual waist beads that enhance the female form, speaking of the inner beauty of the wearer. Nayismiyu’s designs are one-of-a-kind made using a variety of beads including African trade beads which are all strung onto strings made from recycling car tires.
The connectedness Nasimiyu feels towards her heritage and community extends beyond her craft. In 2003 along with her sister Mukoyu Wekesa, Nasimiyu established Born to Aid, a foundation to help women and children suffering from poverty combined with the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic in rural Kenya. The foundation works to provide health care, safe drinking water, education opportunities, and microloans. Nasimiyu has run workshops with the children teaching them the skill of making jewellery, some of which is then sold to pay for things like books, tuition fees, uniforms, and school trips.
…pieces designed to celebrate cultural traditions and the spirit of togetherness
Additional details:
For further information about Nasimiyu visit: www.nasimiyudesigns.com
For further information on the Born to Aid foundation visit: www.borntoaid.org
