Over the course of several months, Eunice Odhiambo sourced 22 second-hand kanga in Kilifi on behalf of MAPENZI YA KANGA. Born and raised in the coastal town, where she still lives today, Eunice is a Kiswahili teacher, writer and researcher dedicated to sharing the depth and beauty of the language and culture.
The collection was assembled to explore the diversity of producers, designs and misemo in circulation along the Kenyan coast. While many Kenyan-produced kanga found in Nairobi come from Mali Ya Abdulla, these 22 examples represent 11 different producers and a wide range of messages.
The collection also offers an introduction to the cultural practice known as kanga-mfulio or kanga za mfulio—used kanga and leso that are carefully washed and stored for future inheritance, gifting or resale. To learn more about this practice, read Eunice Odhiambo's article, Kanga-Mfulio or Kanga za Mfulio: A Social, Economic and Cultural Asset.
Below is a list of the producers represented in the collection, followed by the misemo printed on each kanga and their English translations.
AMANI TEXTILES
TUPENDE MAMA AMETULEA VIZURI
Let us love our mother; she raised us well.
Doti (matching pair)
MALI YA ABDULLA
RADHI ZA WAZAZI HULETA FURAHA NA AMANI
Parents' blessings bring happiness and peace.
WAZAZI HUSHAURI WATOTO KUWA NA MAARIFA
Parents encourage their children to acquire knowledge.
MALI YA ABDUL
UMENIACHA NA KIMAKO NA ROHO KUSONONEKA
You have left me with sorrow and a troubled heart.
MALI YA BAHATI
NI WANGU MIMI WACHA NIJIGAME NAYE
He/she is mine; let me lean on him/her.
Doti (matching pair)
NIMEMPATA ALIYENIVUTIA KWAKE NIMETULIA
I have found the one who attracted me, and with them I am at peace.
USITIE DHIKI NAKUPENDA KWA DHATI
Do not worry; I love you sincerely.
MALI YA FURAHA
SHUKURANI ZOTE NI KWA WAZAZI WANGU WOTE
All thanks are due to my parents.
MALI YA HANNAN
JAPO NI UCHUNGU NI UAMUZI WA MUNGU
Though it is painful, it is God's decision.
MALI YA MOHAMED
ZAWADI NITUNDA LA MOYO
A gift is the fruit of the heart.
ZAWADI NAKULETEA MUHIBU POKEA
I bring you a gift with love; please accept it.
MALI YA MOMBASA
BARAKA ZOTE HUTOKA KWA MUNGU
All blessings come from God.
SUBIRA HUVUTA KHERI MAISHA NI
Patience brings blessings in life.
NAKUPA ZAWADI IPOKEE KWA FURAHA
I am giving you a gift; receive it with joy.
MALI YA MTOTO
FURAHA KUBWA ILOTUFIKIA
Great happiness has come to us.
WATU WEMA HUKUMBUKWA DAIMA
Good people are remembered forever.
POLE MWENZANGU YOTE NI YA MUNGU
My friend, take heart; everything is God's will.
MALI YA SIANZI
WEWE NI CHAGUO LA MOYO WANGU
You are the choice of my heart.
MALI YA SIMBA
RADHI YA MAMA NI SITARA YA MWANA
A mother's blessing is a child's protection.
MALI YA TAUSI
MAMA NI MALIKIA THAMANI YAKE HAINA KIFANI
Mother is a queen; her value is beyond compare.