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Abstract
The Gusii soapstone industry is one of the oldest traditional craft industry in Kenya. The history of the industry dates back to hundreds and perhaps thousands of years ago (Ongesa, 2011). Initially made as traditional handicraft products for local use, the soapstone products have been transformed into tourist items that are sold to both domestic and international tourists who visit Kenya and are sold in handcraft shops all over the world. The aim of this paper is twofold: first, to provide an historical analysis on the transformation of these soapstone products from items that had mainly utility value to handicraft attractions that are sold to tourists; second, to examine the role of the industry in promoting sustainable livelihood among the people of Tabaka area of Kisii county. Data for this paper was acquired through in-depth conversational interview schedules with selected soapstone producers and sellers, structured conversation with key informants and field observations. The research also provides recommendations that can guide policy formation for the sustainable development of the soapstone industry in Kenya.
Highlights
The Tabaka soapstone carvers belong to the Mugirango clan of the Abagusii people of Southwestern Kenya
The Abagusii produced soapstone products which are the subject of this paper (Ochieng, 1978; Masai, 1988)
It should be noted that apart from agricultural production, the people of Tabaka have, over the years, earned their living through soapstone quarrying and carving
Summary
The Tabaka soapstone carvers belong to the Mugirango clan of the Abagusii people of Southwestern Kenya. The Gusii ( referred to as the Kisii or Abagusii) belong to the Western Kenya Bantu speakers and they are currently domiciled in the Southern Western Highland region of Kenya (see Figures 1 and 2). Other communities in this group includes the Kuria, Suba and the Luhya (Ochieng, 1978; Akama and Maxon, 2006). The Abagusii practiced subsistence level mixed faming including the growing of crops such as finger-millet, sorghum and a variety of indigenous vegetables. The people engaged in indigenous industrial initiatives mainly producing iron implements such as hoes, axes, spears, arrows and knives. The Abagusii produced soapstone products which are the subject of this paper (Ochieng, 1978; Masai, 1988).
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