WE CAN STILL ROCK IT

Hey people :-)
I know it has been a little while but I'm having some laptop problems which hopefully shall be fixed very soon.
Anyway, I'm really excited today because I planted a flower bush a few hours ago for the first time. I feel like a farm girl now (I'm honestly not sure what plant it is) . lol

There are two more to plant but I just felt that one was an accomplishment enough. In case you are wondering about the panga, well, we do not have a jembe. lol
I nailed it, didn't I? I think I did.

So last week there was an article in the Nation Newspapers concerning architecture. The main message was how architects drew inspiration from the West and Europe instead of here in Africa. Of course not all of them but a good number do. I'm not really sure what the real reason is ( I mean I have only completed my first year of Architecture so I've had ZERO experience in this field ) but maybe copying what has already been done is much easier and probably clients fancy buildings with some western influenced designs. Again, I'm not sure.

Anyway, while reading the article I remembered that during my first semester, we did a research on a number of ancient structures both in Africa and outside Africa then made presentations (each student had an individual project). I also remembered a documentary I watched a few weeks ago, called 'Lost Kingdoms of Africa' by Gus Casely-Hayford. At first I thought that this documentary was boring but it got quite deep and interesting. In his documentary a couple of ancient buildings built by Africans are featured.

Images of a rock hewn church in Lalibela, Ethiopia.

It was built under the order of King Lalibela, who planned to transform the city of Lalibela into a New Jerusalem.
The church was constructed around the 12th and 13th century and is said to be curved out of rock.

Great Mosque Djene, Mali.

The walls of the Great Mosque are made of sun-baked earth bricks, sand and earth based mortar. They are coated with mud plaster which gives the building its smooth, sculpted look. The walls of the building are decorated with bundles of rodier palm sticks called toron. Apparently, it is the largest mud brick building in the world! But of course the mosque is repaired annually by the community around and everyone plays an active role in this.

The pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

I never thought that there was so much scientific knowledge applied in the construction of the pyramids, until the day a presentation was made in class. The construction theory applied in the construction of the pyramids is so detailed. I shall not get into details right now but you can always find out more from Google. :)

The great Zimbabwe (Obviously in Zimbabwe).

It is said that the great Zimbabwe was constructed by the ancestors of the Shona people in the 14th century and could house up to 18000 people. The walls were over five metres high and were constructed without mortar. Just rock upon rock and yet its ruins are evident till today, which goes to show how strong and steady the Great Zimbabwe was, right?

I mean at a time when there was no technology and today even with our technology some buildings collapse months after construction, those guys deserve credit!

In the documentary, Gus mentioned how surprised the white people were (when Africa was being discovered and we were perceived as primitive) when they saw some of these structures. Some believed aliens landed in Africa, built these structures and then disappeared. (I know, talk of crazy. Those good aliens should then come and build our railway and even provide those laptops so as to avoid delays due to tender issues and all. *smh). They were shocked by the attention to detail which was revealed by these structures.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that if people in the earlier centuries could build such magnificent structures which were also a representation of their culture, then we should be way ahead right now, right? Don't you think?
Architecture is definitely not the easiest of things but a challenge within a challenge won't kill.
If our ancestors could rock it, I think we still can. (notice the use of the word 'rock'...hehe)

WHEN THE BARBER GOT IT WRONG . . .

A rather eventful day today was.
I woke up excited about my visit to the barber. Last time he he trimmed my hair very well I was eager to see what he would do this time around. I want to get rid of the reddish colour on my hair because colour can make the hair really dry, in my case, my short hair was already breaking a little too much! Plus when I daydream about my very big and healthy afro to be, it's always black from the roots to the tips! When I got to the barber shop, I explained to the guy that I wanted him to shave off a little of the coloured hair then eventually when my hair grows longer, I'll cut out the rest of the coloured hair. I trusted that he was sharing my hair vision with me. So I proceeded to sit comfortably on the empty chair and watch him work his magic. LO! Magic it was indeed!!! The barber left my head almost bald!

Notice how you can easily see my scalp without much effort? That just tells you how short he cut it. Needless to say my parents are now laughing at me.... hahaha. Though it's kinda funny.

I really couldn't have stopped him when he started because he started at the front going back. I painfully watched the barber finish his job. When he was finally done I just stared at my image in the mirror, speechless. Completely lost!! He had to tap my shoulder and remind me that there were other people waiting in line. I got out of his shop face down (after paying him for his amazing job, you know).

When I arrived home, I immediately ran upstairs to my room to get my laptop. I began frantically searching for 'how to tie a scarf on your head' tutorials on you tube. Wah! It was crazy.

I obviously tried out a couple of styles and of the many I tried, I only liked the following three. ( The rest were completely unsuccessful, I do not really know why because I'm very good when it comes to such things. Maybe it just wasn't my day.)

I like these styles but I do not love them. Reason being that I'm not really a headscarf person. I just like letting my hair be. I was getting a little worried that I'd have to buy a wig because even my amazing gel was not really working its magic. Something was still missing. :/

However, Vintara Collections came to my rescue. This is a slightly new partnership but full of so much potential!! These guys delivered my confidence. LOL! Today I got two beautiful pairs of loop earrings from them.

Y'all remember what I said in my article 'Kipara Ngoto'?
You can never go wrong rocking big loop earrings with short hair. I mean never!! Big loop earrings transform your look from boring to amazing. My loop earrings from Vintara Collections jazzed up my look.

What got me really excited about my loops was the use of colourful material and the affordable prices. (One pair was just KES 100!!) If you are not really a 'loops person' Vintara Collections also deal with other accessories such as bangles.

Not interested in bangles either?
Well then, take a look at the following items.

Such beautiful prints and colours. What makes Vintara Collections even more amazing is that they take time to carefully craft items according to your specifications at such affordable prices. Plus they have good customer care services!
Impressed? Be sure to check out their Facefook page, Vintara Collections .

When the barber got it wrong, Vintara Collections was my answer. It just might be your answer as well!! :)

LESO YANGU

This is a photo of my first leso ever on the hanging line being swayed by the wind. Although, my mother now makes use of it. For those who do not know, a leso is a light, rectangular piece of cotton fabric often with a border along its four sides, which has various colours, prints and in most cases has a Swahili proverb printed on it. I bought this leso because I needed an attire for my performance on stage. (hahaha! See how I made it sound like I'm some popular performer). I was taking part in my first inter-house drama competition in high school. I thought I nailed my part (it was a little lengthy) however, I came to realize that it sucked (bows head in shame). I then accepted that I wasn't born to act.

Last year, our awesome housekeeper (she cooks really delicious food), sent me to Eastleigh to buy her a leso while I was buying a few other things. She pointed out how her other leso was getting worn out. She really loves her leso this woman. She always wears it, when she is washing the house, the dishes, ironing, cooking and sits on it when basking in the sun. When it is cold, she uses her leso to cover her body.
She is not the only one. Many other women get attached to their lesos as well.

Lesos have been in existence for years. They serve various purposes.

1. Communication. Lesos have various sayings printed on them, therefore they can be used to communicate a message of love, a message of hatred or an educational message.

Mla nawe hafi nawe ila mzaliwa nawe.
A message which generally points out that blood is thicker than water.

A message that points out that only God decides.

2. Lesos are also used as veils and headscarfs

I was going to weed the backyard with that leso on my head. You know, like the way women go to the shamba with lesos on their heads. lol. My father complained that I eat too much of his food and that I need to do something constructive. So weeding it was.

3. Lesos are also used as shawls.

4. Sometimes they serve as aprons. Some of you may not have thought of it this way. You simply tie them around your body so that you do not mess your clothes while doing house chores.

5. Lesos have such beautiful prints and colours that they are used as material on shoes and accessories.

See how beautiful this is??...yes??

Though I think the material used is kitenge. Sorry I could not get photos of leso accessories :(
You can check out more on this page African Kitenge/Leso/Khanga Fabric.

6. Lastly, lesos are used to make beautiful shirts, dresses, skirts and shorts.

My leso wrapper skirt.

Leso inspired dress.

Even Michelle has a little of leso inspiration on her top

Rihanna too!!!

I hope y'all enjoyed my post. If I left out anything concerning lesos feel free to comment. :)

IMMORTAL

For the last couple of weeks I have been having this style on my head. When I step out into the streets of Nairobi many people stare at me thinking that I have probably forgotten to comb my hair or something. My mother gets rather annoyed every time she sees my hair. 'Sasa watu watadhani siwezi nunulia mtoto kichana! Nooo Kiki, ladies don't do this.' She never gets tied of complaining, sometimes I just wonder. However, this is actually a style known as 'Palm rolling'. You just simply roll your palm on your dump hair and your natural curls become more defined. I have become obsessed with this style, I simply cannot comb my hair into a neat tiny afro and leave the house. Plus I feel so artsy and 'differently wired' with this style.

Anyway that's besides the point. Last Sunday, while we were having diner, my father mentioned how he was so surprised to see a man with many facial piercings. Not that he was judging him but he just wondered what is the significance of all those piercings.

Piercings and tattoos have been in existence for centuries! Many cultures around the world have practiced tattooing, piercing and even scarification for a number of reasons. Some the reasons were as a result of religion others were just for beauty. Piercings and tattoos have different meanings depending on the culture. I was obviously curious to learn a little more about the history of tattoos and piercings. I went through a couple of websites and decided to share these two:

1. History of tattoos
2. Body piercing

Photos showing scarification among African cultures. (Scarification seems brutal though. ouch!)

A photo of a Buddhist monk in Thailand being tattooed. (photo courtesy of National geographic)

Lip piercing. This is actually considered beauty among the Mursi people found in Ethiopia. ( I have no idea what to say...)

Maasai ear piercing.

Of course nowadays the art of tattooing and piercing is different. Tattoo artists and piercers have tried to make the process less painful and obviously more hygienic. (One tattoo artist I visited a year ago was rather hopeful that one day someone will come up with an absolutely painless method of permanent tattooing. Well, you never know.)
Tattoos and piercings are now a popular trend. People get them for different reasons but they are generally a form of art. The meanings the carry, the skill and precision required, the use of time, colours and imagination to bring out something so beautiful and desirable!

Actually I think that tattoos and piercings will never die. They are like immortal art! So many people I know (including myself) are crazy about them. Once you make your first step in getting either one of them or both, you can easily become obsessed! I once had ten piercings. 5 on each ear, though nowadays I have understood the saying ' less is more' hehe (I only got rid of two on each side)

Notice the nose piercing and the double helix piercing as well? :)

See the tragus piercing?

And finally my tiny tattoo. Some of you have been wondering what my tattoo is all about. Its basically an F clef and an inverted G clef put together to form a heart.

I got the piercings and the tattoo because I think they are really cool though when some people ask me why I got them, I feel obliged to give a deep fake story (because its like I'm either being judged for it or that person just really expects a good answer, like my mum's friends)

For all you guys who are interested in getting tribal tattoos, I came across a link I thought I should share.
All in all if you are planning on getting a tattoo or piercing, make sure it is something that you really want, be absolutely sure! You do not want to go through the pain and end up disappointed. Plus, make sure you follow your after care process strictly for successful healing. :)