Senator Okenyuri: "I am a proud daughter of Gusii, and soapstone is our gold"

BY ERIC ABUGA

The soapstone industry has survived the colonial times and developed into an art form mainly for the tourism market.

The resilience among the sculptors from Tabaka in South Mugirango Kisii remain unmatched.

Ancient soapstone engravings are still observable at Goti Chaki Hills in Tabaka area. The scribbled wild animal images on the soapstone rocks, Ajua (board game), ritualistic figurines and concentric rings are some of the soapstone engravings still visible in the area.

Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri says Soapstone mining is not just an art but forms the backbone of the economy of Tabaka and Kisii County.

“The sale of carvings attracts employment opportunities to the many households involved in the production process.”

The Senator says that mid this year, she took advantage of her trip to Japan to showcase the beautiful products of Soapstone as a way of positively marketing it to the World.

“Indeed, the end products have a unique touch of class that gives Omogusii a unique sense of identity and pride. From deep in the quarries to the frangible final polish, every piece speaks a story of tradition.”

Speaking while visiting the actual mines and the skilled soapstone miners in Tabaka, Ms Okenyuri said the production of handcrafted goods has preserved a lot of skills which the community has been utilizing since the mining of this gem started.

“Labor intensive, relying on hands and perseverance yet lucrative, soapstone mining is an industry that requires support to enable thriving for the benefit of locals and our country.”

Some soapstone items were used in the performance of various cultural activities.  These included soapstone containers that were used to store traditional medicines.

Soapstone powder was used to decorate people who performed traditional rituals such as rainmaking and initiation ceremonies.  Traditional healers and/or diviners used to smear

the soapstone powder on the hands and face of the person who had come to consult them to, figuratively, find out the forms of sickness the individual suffered from.

Senator Okenyuri says; “I am a proud daughter of Gusii, and soapstone is our gold. We should all participate in one way or the other to make the industry thrive amidst he many challenges.”