Post on 08-Apr-2016
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Vibrantly colouredkikoys and kangashave adorned generations of East
Africans: for many centuries these prizedtextiles were a unit of currency, used bythe peoples of the coast and interior.Now Kasuku is offering these versatilegarments to people everywhere. Made inAfrica for Africa they are already muchsought after world-wide.
Striped woven kikoys were traditionallyworn by Swahili sailors plying the IndianOcean. The Swahili people continue to wearthem for any occasion but they are nowworn by men and women all around Kenyaand beyond. Kikoys are principally used asa sarong but also as scarves, pyjamas, forcheering up a room, or as turbans.Immensely versatile kangas are essentialkit for any African – the height of style fromNairobi to New York.
Standard size guidelines
Kikoy approx 104 x 174 cms
Kikoy kids " 56 x 112 cms
Khanga " 118 x 164 cms
Shuka " 152 x 203 cms
Gents smock shirt
Ladies smock shirtLadies kikoybeach wraps
Ladies 3/4 lengthtrousers
Ladies kikoy wraptrousers and gents
kikoy trousers
All our 100% mercerised cotton kikoys are dyedand woven in our own workshops, then hand-knotted to create the distinctive border, whichadds to their individual appeal. Available in arainbow of colours, we can also make themspecifically to your own designs.
We make a range of clothing from thesedistinctive fabrics: dressing gowns, shorts,trousers and tops which all look great whencrafted from the cloth that defines the EastAfrican coast. Once available only to Kenyansand lucky visitors, Kasuku now distributeskikoys worldwide.
We also make kikoys in a smaller size forchildren. All kids love wearing kikoys - on thebeach or around the house - but since thesesmaller kikoys are also the perfect length formini-skirts, it is quite often the older sisterswho buy them!
Kikoys KKasuku
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Gents drawstringshorts &ladies kikoywrap shorts
Kids kikoys and headgear
Kangas were traditionally made for women towear but have long been unisex and multi-functional. Perfect for carrying babies or to keepthe sun off your head, they also make greatskirts, shawls and curtains: the only limitation ofa kanga is your imagination!
The soft, high quality cotton from which kangasare made makes an ideal fabric for floaty skirts,trousers and shirts. Kangas are made from thincotton and – unlike Kikoys – their designs areprinted instead of woven. There are manyestablished designs and more being inventedevery day. Each kanga has a Swahili proverbprinted on it and these can, of course, beordered to your own specifications. Kangas arethe great advertising hoardings of East Africa:often handed out during political campaigns,bearing the portraits of aspirant MPs, or assouvenirs of great events: many peoplecollect them.
kangasKKasuku
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Ladies kanga wrap shorts
Scatter cushions Table cloths
Duvet covers andpillow cases
Giant floor cushions
Giant size kikoys Beach towels and bags
Dressing gownsShoe bags
Kasuku makes accessories and items for thehome with all these East African fabrics. Theirradiant shades brighten up cold grey bedroomsand add a splash of colour to everything theytouch.
Slightly thicker than kangas, soft cotton kikoysmake fabulous handbags and tablecloths – evenshoes and slippers. Hard-wearing, brightlycoloured and fun, a few kikoy cushion covers orcurtains makes Kenyan sunshine stream into thedarkest corners of a home.
Whilst Kasuku has its own line of clothing andaccessories, our large Kenyan workshop canundertake commissions for anything you need.We dye, print and weave all our own yarns andfabrics, and have our own sewing and finishingworkshops on the premises. We can thusundertake orders for anything your imaginationsuggests.
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AccessoriesKasuku
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Sisal bags with kikoyshoulder straps
Oven mittensand gloves
Kikoy bags with beaded straps
Shukas – made from both cotton and a toughacrylic mix - are heavier than both kangas andkikoys; they are the traditional outfit of Maasaimen. Thrown over the shoulder and tied roundthe waist by a sword belt, they are the ultimatein multi-purpose clothing: wrap, rug and blanket.The Maasai wear little else and will set off onlong safaris with nothing but a spear, a sword, ashuka and a snuff-box. Shukas usually come inred – the favourite colour of the Maasai, tomatch their red ochre decorated bodies. But weweave shukas in our own workshops and cancreate them in any colour you desire.