Akamba woodcarver cooperative is located in Mombasa, Kenya along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The cooperative includes over two hundred artisans who work in independent workshops and come together to sell their sculptures to international buyers and to a thriving local tourist market. Ten Thousand Villages purchases from Akamba cooperative through the Center for International Market Access.
Akamba sculptures are carved from neem, jaracanda and East African mahogany wood. They depict the diverse wildlife found in Kenya, representing everything from giraffes to elephants. As one artisan noted, the sculptures reflect what their grandfathers saw every day. The artisans also express their individual creativity in the carvings; no two pieces are alike.
The artisans at Akamba work hard to preserve their traditional skills and to pass these skills along to future generations of carvers. A concern for the future of their craft inspired the artisans at Akamba to take part in the Good Wood tree planting initiative. The “Good Wood” program encourages carvers to plant tree seedlings in order to begin reversing the rapid deforestation that has taken its toll on much of East Africa. Eventually, these seedlings will become trees that future generations can carve. All of the wood used by Akamba carvers has been certified as environmentally friendly through an international certification process.
