Kalimbas, mbiras, karimbas, finger pianos...all are names for the same African percussion instrument from the Lamellophone instrument family.

These fair trade, Kenyan toy karimbas produce their resonant sound through the use of hollowed wood. Recycled metal tines with recycled-can buzzers are plucked to create vibrations. The box is decorated with wood burnings and is held with both hands when playing.

Available in three sizes.

Dimensions:
Small: 4.5"L x 3"W x 1.5"H
Medium: 7"L x 4"W x 2"H
Large: 8"L x 5.5"W x 2"H

Crafted from: Wood, scrap metal

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Founded by Andy Koney nearly 20 years ago in his bedroom, today the Ghanian artistic collective known as Yenok employs 40 men and women who are dedicated to creating beautiful furniture and woodworking art, often with a spiritual flair. Yenok's products are recognized for their high quality and custom craftsmanship.

Kenyan artisans handcraft this fun spin drum from leather and wood, then add vibrant hand painted designs of a sweet zebra on one side, and colorful zebra print on the reverse. Spinning the drum creates an interesting visual.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:  12"L x 3.5"W x 1"H

Crafted from:  Leather, wood, string, acrylic paint

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

We work with Kenyan artisans who have life-long training in the making of traditional African instruments such as hand drums and spin drums. The artisans craft each instrument from sustainably sourced wood and scraps of goat skin. After each instrument is constructed, Nairobi artists hand-paint the instruments, making each one-of-a-kind.

JusTea's Golden Green loose leaf tea serves up warm flavors of toasted rice and coconut. This green tea is low in caffeine and packed with antioxidants. Carefully hand processed leaves are packaged in a beautiful reusable tin, paired with a hand-carved wild olive wood spoon.

JusTea is dedicated to maintaining the whole tea leaf rather than the normal maceration which destroys much of the leaf’s natural complexities and depth. This allows the tea to be steeped multiple times, retaining the full flavor profile that whole leaf tea offers.

Each 100g tin includes a hand-carved wooden spoon and makes about 40 cups or when re-steeping, 80 cups. A recyclable refill pouch is now also available. Steeping Instructions: 1 teaspoon at 175°F for 3 mins (for a second cup, re-steep 6+ mins).

See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya’s first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world’s most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from each Beads for Clean Water Zulugrass strand to the “Clean Water for Every Home” project; the goal - put a water dispensing unit, locally called a “leak-tin” in every Maasai home in the area. Clean water for drinking and washing helps stop the spread of life threatening disease and illness. Each strand is packaged on a special tag--explaining how the proceeds will be allocated--and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.

Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!

Showcasing un-dyed soapstone in this beautiful lidded box, Kenyan artisans hand carve and polish to a smooth finish. Although colors are primarily cream, this is completely natural soapstone with NO dyeing so each piece could display a wide variation in color and grain than photos - with veining, and even some brown and pink tones but each will be lovely.

Dimensions: 4"L x 4.25"W x 1.5"H

Crafted from: Soapstone

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

These vibrant heart dishes are hand-carved from solid soapstone in Kenya. The dishes are dyed to rich hues using natural plant dyes.

The dishes make great catch-alls for any occasion and are fair trade. Sold singly. Measure approximately 4"L x 4"W x 1"H.

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Kenyan artisans showcase natural soapstone in a sweet sculpture of a songbird. Polished to a smooth finish with hand-carved details, each bird sculpture may display small veins of color within the creamy white soapstone.

Sold singly. Choose from Small or Large. Because these are handmade items crafted from a varying natural material, each is unique.

Approximate Dimensions: Large 4"L x 2"W x 2.5"H

Small 3"L x 1.75"W x 1.25"H

Crafted from: Soapstone

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft the basic form for a lidded storage box from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a chic black dyed finish and etched details inspired by the intricate high-contrast designs of Malian mudcloth.

Sold singly; three sizes available. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:
Small: 2"L x 2"W x 1.25"H
Medium: 3"L x 3"W x 1.75"H
Large: 4"L x 4"W x 2"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Kenyan artisans handcraft this fun spin drum from leather and wood, then add a colorful hand painted design with dancing musical notes and staffs on each side.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:  10"L x 3.5"W x 0.75"H

Crafted from:  Leather, wood, string, acrylic paint

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

We work with Kenyan artisans who have life-long training in the making of traditional African instruments such as hand drums and spin drums. The artisans craft each instrument from sustainably sourced wood and scraps of goat skin. After each instrument is constructed, Nairobi artists hand-paint the instruments, making each one-of-a-kind.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft the basic form for a lidded storage box from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a chic black dyed finish and etched details inspired by the intricate high-contrast designs of Malian mudcloth. 

Sold singly; three sizes available. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:
Small: 2"L x 2"W x 1.25"H
Medium: 3"L x 3"W x 1.75"H
Large: 4"L x 4"W x 2"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from these specially designed 26" Zulugrass strands to their Girls Graduation program to counsel young rural girls and their families on the importance of staying in school. Each strand is packaged on a special tag, explaining how the proceeds will be allocated, and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.

Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!

Kenyan artisans handcraft this fun spin drum from leather and wood, then hand paint colorful butterflies on each side. A sweet gift for little musicians!

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:  10"L x 3.5"W x 0.75"H

Crafted from:  Leather, wood, string, acrylic paint

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

We work with Kenyan artisans who have life-long training in the making of traditional African instruments such as hand drums and spin drums. The artisans craft each instrument from sustainably sourced wood and scraps of goat skin. After each instrument is constructed, Nairobi artists hand-paint the instruments, making each one-of-a-kind.

Handcrafted by Kenyan artisans from soft soapstone, this heart-shaped keepsake box has a hand-dyed finish. 

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 3"L x 3"W x 1.5"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Handcrafted by Kenyan artisans from soft soapstone, this heart-shaped keepsake box has a hand-dyed finish. 

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 3"L x 3"W x 1.5"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Handcrafted by Kenyan artisans from soft soapstone, this heart-shaped keepsake box has a hand-dyed finish. 

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 3"L x 3"W x 1.5"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

This sweet little hippo dish is hand carved from soft Kisii soapstone by artisans in Western Kenya, and finished with a vibrant crimson red and yellow sunshine design by artisans in Nairobi.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, patterns will vary.

Dimensions: 4"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Kisii soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

This sweet little hippo dish is hand carved from soft Kisii soapstone by artisans in Western Kenya, and finished with a hand-dyed speckled orange design by artisans in Nairobi.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, patterns will vary.

Dimensions: 4"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Kisii soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

This sweet little hippo dish is hand carved from soft Kisii soapstone by artisans in Western Kenya, and finished with a hand-dyed lemon yellow design by artisans in Nairobi.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, patterns will vary.

Dimensions: 4"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Kisii soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft the basic form for a sphere tea light candle holder from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a slate blue dyed finish and art deco inspired etched details.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Candle not included.

Dimensions: 2"L x 2"W x 2"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft the basic form for a sphere tea light candle holder from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a rich black dyed finish and art deco inspired etched details.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Candle not included.

Dimensions: 2"L x 2"W x 2"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft this petite round dish from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a slate blue dyed finish and art deco inspired etched details. 

Sold singly. Colors may vary slightly.

Dimensions:  3"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, dye

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Carvers in Kenya's western highlands craft this petite round dish from soft soapstone. Artisans in a Nairobi workshop then add a rich black dyed finish and art deco inspired etched details. 

Sold singly. Colors may vary slightly.

Dimensions:  3"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, dye

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Kenyan artisans hand craft a beautiful keepsake box by carving soft soapstone and finishing with a deep red dyed finish and an etched floral print pattern.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 3"L x 3"W x 1.5"H

Crafted from: Soapstone, non-toxic dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.