Learn how to make a traditional bed that is sometimes still used among the Ilchamus of Kenya. This type of bed is now being quickly replaced by modern bed frames. However, the traditional bed holds many symbolic meanings separating the space between male and female, while also being an important place for storing the father’s milk and hanging the calabashes. The hanging calabashes also help to decorate an otherwise simple exterior. In making the bed, The Namayana group shows their expertise and knowledge of traditions, as well as that it is a time when people socialise, talk and sing.

Soma neikoni teneitobiri rwet o ilchamus lekenya newen apake etai lkulikae otiii aotomia otaata.ore ana rwet naa ketii ltungana kumok haingwaa tenkarake rwetin etaata.kake ore rwet eapa naaku keeta kipirita tanaaa ltorong naa weji nepiki ndaaa elpayen.ore te nkitibireta erwet naa lturuu lenamayana otii haitodolu nkichoroto enche elkwaak lo ilchamus naa nia kata ochi etumoi neyelounoi neranyi.

We are grateful to the Namayana women’s group who so generously shared their knowledge and skills.

Project team: Team lead: Nik Petek-Sargeant; Filming and audio recording: Glen Nakure, James Ng’etich, Wilson Tiren, Mercy Leapai Senteyon; Translation: Mercy Leapai Senteyon, Glen Nakure; Video editing: Patrick Nakure, Wanjage Wairimu; National Museums of Kenya representative: Lillian Amwanda.

Filming and recording were done as part of the project Historical East African Archaeology and Theory funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (ID: HEAAT-884702), the Cambridge Humanities Research Grant, British Academy Small Grants, and the British Institute in Eastern Africa. The video and it’s parts are licenced under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0”