Hand Spinning and Weaving in Nyanza Province, Kenya

Abstract

A year ago the crafts of spinning and weaving were very nearly unknown in the Nyanza Province. A little spindling had been taught by one or two public-spirited women in their very limited spare time, but a wheel and a loom were still the" unknown quantity". During a rather hurried tour of the Province early in July, I made a point of finding out how the craft was being received by the Africans. Everywhere it was the same story—" we like this work—we want to learn more". At Mumias I was told the little children make themselves a spindle with a lump of clay on the end of a stick, pick up the waste bits of wool, teach themselves to spin a thread and then take it to the Sisters at the Convent saying" now you see we can spin let us join your class". Other Missions tell me they have had to forbid the girls taking their spindles to class, and that every available moment between other work is given to spindling.