Pendeza Weaving

Pendeza Weaving P.O. Box 1786 Kisumu, Kenya www.pendezaweaving.com tel: 0734 587 253 Contact: Margaret Okello

The clacking noise made by the looms provides a background for the visitor, reminding one constantly of the effort required to spin handmade thread and weave it into material. Margaret and William and their four children live on a compound just outside Kisumu town in Western Kenya. William uses a long branch to stir dyes in large red clay pots in the yard of the compound, dips large pieces of ivory-colored material into the brew, and hangs the colorful pieces on the clothesline.

A large room attached to Margaret and William's home houses five large looms and several spinning wheels. Young men learn the arts of spinning cotton thread and weaving cotton cloth from Margaret and William. The thread is made from Kenyan cotton grown at some of the neighboring farms, unlike most thread made in Kenya, which is made of imported cotton. It takes William two full days to thread a loom, which will be used to make a piece of material the size a full size bed cover.

The material ranges from loosely woven, textured patterns to finely spun, tight weaves. Beautiful natural colored tablecloths and napkins contain a subtle window-pane texture. Brightly dyed dresses and shirts have that nubby feel of raw silk. Each piece of material reflects William and Margaret's creativity.

Margaret scours American and European catalogs for product ideas. She designs anything that is made from cloth and creates a prototype. Some of the products include dresses, shirts, bedspreads, tablecloths, napkins, coasters, purses, hats, Christmas decorations, and potholders. When visitors arrive, Margaret eagerly asks their opinion about new product designs.

Because of the time and effort it takes to produce the material, the cost of Pendeza Weaver products is not in line with the local Kenyan market. The majority of their sales is to tourists, ex-patriates working in Kenya, missionaries, and American and European volunteers. The kikoys they make--a utilitarian piece of cloth used by Kenyan women to protect their clothing while cooking, to tie a sleeping child to their backs, or as an impromptu picnic blanket--are, however, quite affordable and popular in Kenya because they are 100% cotton and are a high quality. This quality is reflected in all of the Pendeza Weaver products, as is the painstaking care that goes into each piece of material.