The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nairobi, in collaboration with AfricaCentric Entertainment, successfully launched Shanga Trails, a new cultural initiative highlighting the unique artistic and historical ties between Czechia and Kenya.
The launch took place at The Opportunity Factory in Karen, bringing together Kenyan and Czech partners to celebrate a shared legacy of craftsmanship, creativity and collaboration.
The event brought together cultural leaders, artisans, designers, media, creatives and partners for a celebration of cultural connection, exchange and innovation, featuring artisan showcases and live demonstrations of beadwork, interactive storytelling on the centuries-long history of Czech glass beads in Kenya and East Africa.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Kenya, H.E. Mrs. Nicol Adamcová, said: “Shanga Trails is more than a single event; it marks the beginning of a multi-year journey that celebrates sustainable creativity and deepens cross-cultural exchange between Czechia and Kenya.”
The Shanga Trails launch was held in partnership with Raj Ushanga, the official distributors of Czech beads in Kenya and East Africa and a key figure in Kenya’s long-standing relationship with Czech glassmakers, having served as the country’s primary importer of Czech glass beads since 1976, dating back to the era of Czechoslovakia.
Renowned glassmakers Anselm Kitengela Glass also joined as partners, installing their beloved decorative pieces at the event.
“Through this initiative, we aimed to empower artisan communities, inspire young people to explore design, and promote both cultural and environmental awareness through collaborative art projects, exhibitions, and public installations,” Ambassador Adamcova added. “By bringing together Czech glass artistry and Kenyan design and storytelling, Shanga Trails demonstrated the true strength of cultural diplomacy: the ability of art and creativity to transcend borders, connect people, and nurture shared values.”
The event featured a blend of music and fashion.
Mr. Judah Onesimus, a gifted Kenyan trumpet player with Chamber Music Kenya and a recent graduate of the Prague Conservatory, delivered a special live performance, symbolising the artistic exchange at the heart of Shanga Trails.
On the fashion front, the event showcased works from two leading Kenyan design houses that embody heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary innovation: Sandstorm Kenya and Studio Namnyak, led by international Kenyan designer Namyak Odupoy.
Sandstorm Kenya presented its new line of glass-beaded suede leather bags, created in collaboration with designer Wini Awuondo and skilled beading communities across the country, blending Czech glassmaking tradition with Kenyan artisanal mastery.
Crafted using Czech glass beads supplied by Preciosa Ornela, the collection beautifully blends Czech glassmaking finesse with Kenyan artisanal heritage, paying tribute to tradition, celebrating while elevating craftsmanship.
Studio Namnyak showcased new fashion pieces integrating beadwork in thoughtful, modern ways for the conscious consumer.
Guests also enjoyed curated tastings from Kenyan Originals’ Mara Gin and Bila Shaka’s Czech Mates, a collaboration brew developed with Budweiser Budvar, the national brewery of the Czech Republic, a spirited toast to the shared beer-making heritage of both nations.
Shanga Trails will in 2026, present a collaboration with Ol Pejeta Conservancy for the northern white rhino IVF fundraising campaign, adding a powerful conservation dimension to their mission. In the coming months, Shanga Trails will also introduce Shanga Kifaru, a nationwide series of artist and community-beaded rhino sculptures that will culminate in a September 2026 charity auction in support of the northern white rhino IVF programme.
The unveiling of Sandstorm’s beaded leather collection, the debut of Czech Mates beer and the future launch of the Shanga Kifaru conservation initiative showcase the depth of collaboration between Kenya and the Czech Republic and the power of cultural heritage as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and shared purpose.
For centuries, Czech artisans have been renowned for their mastery of glass beadmaking, shaping tiny jewels with remarkable precision and artistry.
Across Kenya, communities such as the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, Rendille and others have long used beadwork as a profound cultural language, expressing identity, status, beauty, love and continuity. Shanga Trails brought these histories into conversation, tracing the largely forgotten routes through which Czech glass beads travelled across Africa and honouring how Kenyan artisans transformed them into powerful symbols of cultural identity.
The project positioned beadwork as more than ornamentation: it became a shared narrative of craftsmanship, migration, creativity, and connection between two nations.
At its core, Shanga Trails honoured traditional knowledge systems while reimagining craft for global audiences. It highlighted the extraordinary journey of a humble bead and its ability to travel across continents, linking cultures in unexpected ways.
Through this initiative, the centuries-old Czech tradition of glass beadmaking and Kenya’s rich heritage of bead artistry came together to illuminate a story of cultural dialogue, resilience and shared heritage.
