Kenya

Stone carving is common in western Kenya near Lake Victoria, particularly in Kisii where the local soapstone is highly valued and the carvers are exceptionally skilled. Master stone carver Elkana Ong’esa has won international recognition for his work, which can be seen in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Kisii has a long history of stone carving, beginning with ancient etched rock art—the inspiration for the Kenya: Mambo Poa logo, symbolizing a journey out and a return home.

FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS

Elkana Ong’esa is one of the most admired and prolific contributors to art in Kenya. He has received the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions in sculpture and has also been published widely in print and electronic media. Elkana has made many monumental stone sculptures found in public and private collections worldwide promoting themes of peace, collaboration, and environmental conservation, including a large piece at the entrance of the UNESCO building in Paris. He is the master carver of the sculpture “Hands Off Our Elephants” in recognition of elephant conservation efforts in Kenya.

Mark Obara Zebedee works under Elkana Ong’esa as a trainee assistant in monumental sculpture. He has also participated as a trainee assistant and store manager during the African Stones Talk Symposium in Kisii County.

Young Festival visitors get a lesson in soapstone.

Photo by Akea Brown, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Elkana Ong’esa shows one of the soapstone pieces he created to help raise awareness of elephant conservation projects in Kenya.

Photo by Bea Ugolini, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Joseph O. Oinde talks with a visitor about soapstone sculptures.

Photo by Bea Ugolini, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Joseph O. Oinde works on a new carving from a piece of soapstone sent to the Festival from Kenya.

Photo by Rachel Winslow, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

From a large piece of soapstone will emerge a beautiful sculpture made by carver Mark Obara Zebedee.

Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Mark Obara Zebedee carefully carves details into a soapstone animal.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Samson M. Ong’esa, son of master carver Elkana Ong’esa, carefully cleans a piece of soapstone.

Photo by Bea Ugolini, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Surrounded by elephant carvings and tools of the trade, soapstone carver Samson M. Ong'esa talks with visitors about his work.

Photo by Rachel Winslow, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Wilfred N. Okibegwa takes advantage of a tree’s shade to work on a new soapstone carving.

Photo by Heather Caverhill, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution