Creating Art and Community Income

Nyabigena, located in Nyamaramba sub location of greater Kisii, is the home of the Nyabigena Carvers Cooperative. Kisii, a city in western Kenya near Lake Victoria, is surrounded by soapstone quarries and is well-known both for the quality of its soapstone and the skill of its carvers. Nyabigena sits on vast deposits of soapstone that the Kisii's believe will last forever.

The main economy in Nyamaramba is soapstone carving. Producing and trading of soapstone includes both men and women, young adults and the elderly. The men are traditionally the diggers, miners and the carvers of the soapstone; while the women polish, wash and wax the finished products.

Nyabigena Carvers Cooperative

Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers was registered as a cooperative in 1990. It was started by 8 carvers and currently has 150 members (102 men and 48 women), who live in several villages in and around Nyabigena, most within Nyamaramba sub location.

The group is a non-profit organization selling soapstone carvings, both locally and in the export market. It is a member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT).

Land of Soapstone

Nyabigena means "land of soapstone." Nyabigena is fortunate to have access to several quarries with the closest one within walking distance or a "stone's throw away." The soapstone mines are owned by the families on whose land they fall. The mines are a treasured resource, given the value accorded to soapstone. The work in the mines is all manual.

Soapstone Qualities

Nyabigena falls within Tabaka location which is reputed to have the best soapstone in the world. The soapstone comes in several beautiful shades and colors. Its strength also varies along with its shades of color. So, each piece has its own unique combination of colors and patterns.

Without Electrical Power

Nyabigena does not have electricity. Whether the carvers are stripping the land of the top soil and plants to expose the soapstone, or extracting the soapstone from the ground, or carving each unique handcraft, all the work is done by human hands and simple tools.

Carving Tools

The hand tools include improvised compasses made from pieces of wood and nails, home made chisels, pencils, small picks, small hand saws, knives from recycled materials, tape measures, machetes, blocks/clubs of wood and improvised tool sharpeners.

With the rudimentary tools used to make their products, the artisans demonstrate great skills that enable them to create beautiful handcrafts with exquisite designs.

Nyabigena Academy

A source of great pride for the Cooperative and the community is their primary school—the Nyabigena Academy. It was started by the Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers and is based at the group's former offices and workshops. It was started in 2007 with 70 students.

Community Advancement

The Cooperative seeks to improve the standard of living of the community. The Nyabigena Carvers Cooperative offers management training workshops, educational opportunities for orphans, and market opportunities for its producer members. It also offers education on HIV/AIDS, and health and nutrition. It has a tree nursery aimed at encouraging producers to protect the environment.

Civic Minded

The civic-minded Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers have sponsored a women's literacy program; HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives; and a program which supports school dropouts, encouraging them to finish school and thus avoiding the necessity of child labor.

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