OWN YOUR CULTURE

 

Hairitage Chronicles is a village market with over 40 brands in the hair, beauty, fashion, and food space. Most stallholders are local small to medium-sized enterprises. It is a fun shopping experience. The event is held annually with the theme for this year borrowed from Own Your Culture, an organization that promotes, preserves, and commemorates traditional jewelry, art fashion, and stories in Kenya and around Eastern Africa. 

Speaking to the event organizer and co-founder Nurtured Knotts Faith Adhiambo, she has this to say; “The aim of this campaign is to keep our heritage and stories alive as well as ensuring we remain owners of our cultural designs. We are 43 plus tribes, and we have a rich heritage that can be brought to life. We are calling out on everyone to come out in larger numbers so that we can celebrate and feel inspired by our various cultures and heritage. There is so much we can embrace in terms of dress code and activities.”

The event lines up a number of activities that feature different personalities speaking about different topics that touch on hair, beauty, fashion, and fitness. “We intend to take this conversation to Nakuru and Mombasa as we engage other naturalists outside Nairobi under the banner “NK (Nurtured Knotts) on the wheels”.  Naturalists in other towns have had a challenge of attending our events and enjoying the benefits of these events hence the reason why we are going to their doorsteps,” adds Faith.

Nurtured Knotts was founded with the aim of curating unique experiences that connect women and men of colour with some of the best brands in Kenya on matters of hair, beauty, fashion, fitness, arts etc. “I am here to own my culture. I came purposely to find a regimen that works for my natural hair. I appreciate all the girls who stick to their natural hair because it's beautiful,” says Winne, a consumer.

Chepkemboi Mang’ira the founder of Own Your Culture is excited to bring #OwnYourCulture online and the hashtag attendees discover their culture and wear it in style. “We look forward to celebrating and documenting our diverse art from around Kenya,” says Chepkemboi.

Under the Heritage Chronicles Banner, Nurtured Knotts seeks to execute innovative events that drive buzz and attract key influencers in the hair, fashion, fitness, and beauty industry and hence continuously contribute to the growth of social enterprises in Kenya.

Among the brands that are on board as partners are Mikalla, a natural hair brand that retails products in the natural hair space. Onea Salon; creators of Nyasuba Locs, Afro Siri Salon. The event also has a live installation of hair by leading hairstylists, make-up demos by some of the signed-up brands, and consultations on various product usage.

“We are the pioneers of relaxed hair, but we noticed a huge trend in the natural hair movement, and being a brand that is consumer-centric we tapped into that opportunity by launching a brand that serves/aims to Kenyan people, Au Naturale Product range,” says Kandi.

According to Paula, who is a fashion & style blogger/personal shopper, everyone has a unique taste. Paula makes rustic accessories from brass with an African touch. “I came here to promote my brand, which is quite new. In the future, I hope to own a fashion brand.” Paula says.

This year’s event was sponsored mainly by Dark and Lovely Africa, a company that is dedicated to African beauty and offers a complete hair and skincare range to meet the diverse styles & demands of African women. The Dark and Lovely Africa brand ambassador, Kandi explained to us their belief in the empowerment of women. “We make women feel confident, no matter the hairstyle they have. Relaxed or natural, Dark and Lovely is there for you,” Kandi says.