Christmas in Kenya!

This wreath was created to remember and celebrate the beautiful and extraordinary land and people of Kenya. The wreath features many elements made with native materials by Kenyan artists and crafts people. There are hand carved and painted masks of the three magi and hand carved wooden animals such as the elephant, monkey and hippopotamus. The true centerpiece of the wreath is the hand crafted banana leaf nativity crowned in dried grass while being lovingly watched over by the wood and grass cloth giraffe.
There are handmade rope figurines of drummers, angels with grass wings and women carrying water jugs made by a Kenyan cooperative. A banana leaf painted 'Father Christmas' who is using only his right hand to offer gifts of fruit and sweets. Beaded bracelets made by a Kenyan women's fair trade group used as 'Christmas garland' Kenyan style encircle the wreath. A handmade lion climbs up the wreath like the king he is with his big proud mane of fur.
The colors and materials chosen for this wreath represent the color of the soil , and textures of the raw materials found in the villages with their mud huts and grass roofs. The touches of metallics in copper details represent the magical orange sunsets and the unforgettable spark and shine of the beautiful and resilient souls of the people of Kenya. A joyful and thoughtful collection of authentic handcrafted items to serve as a reminder to take home and never forget Kenya!

Handmade by Aletha Carpenter