Czech Embassy, AfricaCentric Entertainment launch cultural initiative in Nairobi

The event took place on 22 November 2025 at The Opportunity Factory in Karen. The launch brought together cultural leaders, artisans, designers, creatives and partners for an event featuring beadwork demonstrations, artisan showcases and historical storytelling on the long-standing presence of Czech glass beads in Kenya and East Africa.

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Kenya, H.E. Nicol Adamcová, said the initiative marked the start of a long-term cultural exchange programme. “Shanga Trails was more than a single event; it marked the beginning of a multi-year journey that celebrates sustainable creativity and deepens cross-cultural exchange between Czechia and Kenya,” she said. “By bringing together Czech glass artistry and Kenyan design and storytelling, Shanga Trails demonstrated the true strength of cultural diplomacy: the ability of art and creativity to transcend borders, connect people, and nurture shared values.”

The project is supported by Raj Ushanga, the official distributor of Czech beads in Kenya and East Africa since 1976, and glassmakers Kitengela Glass, who installed decorative pieces at the venue.

The event included a musical performance by Kenyan trumpet player Judah Onesimus, a member of Chamber Music Kenya and a recent graduate of the Prague Conservatory. Fashion presentations were led by Sandstorm Kenya and Studio Namnyak, showcasing work that incorporated Czech glass beads supplied by Preciosa Ornela. Sandstorm Kenya introduced a new line of glass-beaded suede leather bags produced in collaboration with designer Wini Awuondo and Kenyan beading communities, while Studio Namnyak presented contemporary fashion pieces that featured beadwork in minimalist, modern forms.

Guests were also offered tastings of Kenyan Originals’ Mara Gin and Czech Mates, a collaborative beer developed by Bila Shaka with Budweiser Budvar, the Czech national brewery.

Shanga Trails will continue in 2026 with a partnership with Ol Pejeta Conservancy in support of the northern white rhino IVF programme. The initiative will also roll out Shanga Kifaru, a national project featuring rhino sculptures beaded by artists and community groups. The sculptures will later be auctioned in September 2026 to raise funds for conservation.

The launch highlighted the deep cultural links between Czech glassmaking traditions and Kenyan bead artistry. Czech glass beads have been produced for centuries, while Kenyan communities such as the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and Rendille have used beadwork for cultural expression, identity and storytelling. Shanga Trails aims to bring these histories together by tracing the routes through which Czech beads entered Africa and acknowledging how Kenyan artisans adapted them into significant cultural symbols.

The initiative will continue through exhibitions, public installations, community outreach programmes, new craft collaborations and design projects aimed at supporting artisans and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Through its multi-year activities, Shanga Trails seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Kenya and Czechia while highlighting shared heritage and contemporary creativity.