A renowned dealer in soapstone artefacts in the Tabaka Ward, South Mogirango constituency, Kisii County, has invented new methods of carving objects with encouraging messages in a bid to widen his clientele and help people cope with the current harsh economic times.
Daniel Apepo has shifted from carving the usual traditional functional items like soap dishes, sugar dishes, and the wildlife stuff to objects that can give a meaning to people’s daily lives.
For example, Apepo has developed items to match and inspire people during the current Christmas festive season, those that speak love messages, social relationships, and the normal life journey.
Speaking at his business premises in Nyabigege shopping centre in the area yesterday, Apepo explained that one of the love items dubbed love knot, depicts deep love and unity in a relationship and can be given as a gift to those in love or during a wedding.
He explained that another one labelled Cycle of Life portrayed the ups and downs of a life journey but has a message of preparing one to cope with all situations.
Others are the Heroes Capture meant to appreciate heroes and heroines, including people who exhibit good leadership and parental skills, a Swan that implies beauty and calmness, and a supporting hand to imply psychosocial support or mental wellness.
The Star artefact, Apepo said, was requested by one of the embassies in Kenya because they wanted to fete an employee, who was getting a promotion a few months ago, but has since become very popular with parents who fete either their hard-working children or those they want to change from wayward behaviour.
According to Apepo, the invention has revamped his business, attracting not only more Europeans but also area residents, who are getting fascinated by the naturally beautiful stone, which is endowed in a natural white colour, pink, grey, or a mixture of the three colours.
Apepo explained that to motivate people who are mainly frustrated by the tough economic times, he had to carve the burning frame item, which is meant to give hope.
Appealing to Kenyans to give gifts that inspire people during this festive season, Apepo said gifts like Elephant, Lion and Eagle signifies greatness or leadership, while Rhino and Buffalo display strength or vigour and can be given as a gift to communicate a person’s immense contribution to community or individual life.
The soapstone trader urged his counterparts in the industry to be more innovative in objects that make people’s lives worthwhile, saying it will also help revamp the sector.
He also called upon Kenyans to invest more in happiness and to instill the value of gratitude in their children instead of living their whole lives struggling to amass material wealth, saying it was not a source of happiness and peace most of the time.
One resident, Eveline Ombasa, said she was impressed by especially the Heroes capture, which she wished to give to an Olympic champion in athletics, Hellen Obiri, whom she noted had made Kisii County proud.
Ombasa said that she was purchasing the love knot for her husband as a Christmas gift to express her love and appreciation for their relationship and another one for her child who was graduating from college.
By Jane Naitore
