Kisii Soapstone Carvings

This unusual soapstone comes from a tiny area in the western highlands of Kenya, close to the village of Kisii. Soapstone is technically a talc; the various colorations and striations running through it are formed by the leaching of different minerals through the stone as it sits underground (particularly iron.)

Originally it was the Abagusii tribe that carved this stone into utilitarian vessels (it holds water well) for eating and drinking, but now other groups also carve the stone including the famous wood carvers -- the Akamba, who make candle holders and other items. The craftspeople still produce each piece without the help of any mechanical devices. There is no electric power supply in or near the villages. The excavation of the raw quarry stone, the carving work and polishing are all done manually.

The colored and incised designs are made by dying the stone with ink, paint, or shoe polish, then sealing the color with beeswax, and finally incising the surface, thereby allowing the light colored, natural stone to show through.