The Manyatta Bag

During the day, the women attend to family responsibilities. In the evenings, they work by solar light in their manyattas (huts), sustaining their traditional Maasai way of life. Each bag takes two to three weeks of painstaking work. Payment is determined by weight, so every bead becomes income. That income supports food security, children’s education, and independence for women who choose how to direct their earnings.

Every bag is unique, made from brilliant glass beads stitched onto a traditional camel blanket for sturdiness. The finishing touches are added in Kibera, an economically marginalized community in Nairobi. There, artisans craft straps from recycled Kenyan leather, line each bag with vibrant kanga cloth, and add a recycled brass elephant.

The result is a refined, one-of-a-kind piece that can be carried as a clutch or worn crossbody. It is alive with tradition, artistry, and community spirit.

100% of profits from this bag support Indigenous communities, wildlife conservation, and ecological restoration.