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The best available textiles in Kenya are found on the coast, known as the Khanga and the Kikoy. These traditional cloths are worn as a wrap around garment by both men and women all over the East African coast, similar to the sarong of South East Asia.

The kikoy is a bright, usually striped, cloth with knotted tassles along each hem. The khanga is larger, more elaborately patterned and traditionally emblazoned with a Swahili proverb offering a pearl of conventional wisdom.

These cloths are synonymous with the Kenyan coast, and their fabrics are often adapted into clothing, tablecloths, bedlinen, and just about anything else possible. A khanga or kikoy is perfect for the beach and can either be worn or used as a beach towel, or both.

The coast is also home to excellent tailors, who can produce clothing from local fabrics quickly and cheaply, made to order.

Inland, the most common textile is the Maasai Shukka. This is the blanket seen worn by most Maasai, always red blended with black, blue or other colours. They are warm and functional blankets, ideal for the chill of early mornings on Safari.

A common item of footwear in Kenya is the 'Thousand miler', a sandal cut from an old car tyre. These sandals are very tough and surprisingly comfortable once worn in. Thousand milers are available at most local markets.

Many Kenyan clothes designers have incorporated traditional designs and textile patterns into attractive modern garments, which are becoming increasingly popular.
 

Sources for this article:

Magical  Kenya.

Click on the following images to view a more detailed picture of the items

Blue striped Kikoy	Blue Orange Kikoy	Purple Blue Kikoy
@ $ 19.00	@ $ 19.00	@ $ 19.00
Traditional masai blanket	Red Kikoy
@$23.00	@ $ 19.00

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