Nairobi Area Shopping Tips by sphynxxs

Massai market: curio, curio, curio

there are several of the so-called massai markets - open air markets where small traders gather on the ground of a parking lot surrounding one of the malls, places where lots of tourists and expats hang out at. There is one on the parking roof of Westgate shopping mall every Tuesday and another one on the parking lot of Yaya Center every Sunday. There is also a permanent massai market in the little street triangle at lower Kabete near Sarit Center in Westlands.

What to buy: At all of the stalls you' ll find the usual mix of shukas, kikoys, carved animals, beaded jewellery, wooden masks, kisii stones etc. Haggling about the price is part of the fun. The traders are usually not overly pushy and aggressive.

What to pay: it all depends on your negotiation skills - I' d recommend to have a look at some of the places with fixed prices first so you get an idea how much you are expected to pay

Theme: Local Craft

Massai market: pearls, kikoys and carvings

there is a Massai market on Sundays at the parking lot of Yaya Center in Kilimani, open till afternoon. Besides, there is a kind of permanent massai market (a number of stalls) opposite Sarit Center in Westlands. Both are located relatively close to the city centre, and if you cannot agree on prices with the traders (you need to haggle), you can shop in the malls or nearby shops like Spinners Web on Wayaki Highway for African/Kenyan craftwork

Theme: Local Craft

biashara street shops or massai market: Obamanania goes kanga

Obama rocks - especially in kenya, the home country of his late father where many people see him an an inspiration and the tourism industry is hoping to make some money with his name. It did not take long after his election until his face appeared on the traditional cloth, the kanga

What to buy: the "Obama kangas" appear in a number of colors, and by now there are different patterns - some are more traditional, others follow the taste of Western tourists to increas sales

What to pay: these "special" kangas cost no more than the usual (though a shopkeeper told me they are sold for 22 $ in the US), so expect to pay about 350 KES (about 4,5 $)

Address: you´ll find them for sure in the shops on Biashara

Directions: Nairobi city center

Theme: Other

contemporary Kenyan art: arts and crafts

the RaMoMa art gallery in Parklands should be a good spot to start when looking for contemporary art. They also help young artists to exhibit their works open air on their grounds - I think it is usually on the first Saturday of the month - and have a good reputation. There is also a website: http://kenya.africancolours.net/

both Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute sometimes organise meetings with artists

Address: Rahimtulla Tower, Upper Hill Road

Theme: Art

Website: http://kenya.africancolours.net/