Join us for a fun, Creative, educational and meditative bead making workshop with the talented Wawi Amasha of @mami.afrika. Create your own waist beads that can be used as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, hairline tie or belt using Wawi's collection of beautiful African and trade beads.

(Great activity for girlfriends, mothers and daughters)

$30 for materials

February 15th, 2014
2-5 PM
Bowthwell Arts Center
2466 8th St, Livermore, CA 94550


"Waist beads are an age old African tradition. They are worn for vast reasons and purposes to celebrate femininity, healing, spirituality, power, balancing, attracting and keeping a mate, rites of passage, rejuvenation, initiations, first menses, energy, and body shaping. African women have traditionally worn waist beads beneath their clothing placed beneath the belly button and can be single or multiple strands. In ancient Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles.

Women of all ages and sizes wear waist beads!
When you add stones, waist beads take on healing qualities.
Depending on ailment or what needs to be enhanced, various semi-precious stones can be included in the design of your waist beads.

It’s only now in modern times, that waist beads are becoming more visible.
Think of them as colorful strands of femininity -- vibrant glass or clay beads, gemstones, pieces of horn, shells and sometimes gold or silver fittings, strung together by hand and tailored to embrace a woman's individual midsection.

Waist Beads are multi-purpose. They can be used as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, hairline tie, belt, and a favorite of mine, they are great weight regulators." 
--Wawi Amasha

November 17th, 2013 – Livermore, CA ‐ Cheza Nami Foundation, Inc is excited to bring to the City of Livermore a ‘Taste of Kenya”. This family event is set to be a magical journey of Kenya through touch, taste, sight, and sound; featuring some of the best Californian-based Kenyan art, literary, dance, music and fashion artists.

Featured Artists:

Mami Afrika:  Renowned Los Angeles based Wawi will be showcasing her uniquely handcrafted brand of clothes, jewelry and wearable art, steeped in the celebration of life using vibrant colors inspired by Africa.

A touch of Poetry: Recently returned from her US tour, Minda Magero will be reading from her first published poetry collection, “The Book of Mysteries” and new selections deeply informed by her experiences in Kenya and abroad.  

Story-telling through Illustration:  Third-generation Kenyan artist Ngene Mwaura will be showcasing his work that takes you from the farmlands of Africa, through the art world of Europe, and most recently to Los Angeles, where he's working on his latest work, "Masks," an expression of what he thinks the African Mask could have evolved into if the African tradition hadn't progressively dissipated. Ngene’s work is displayed in the collections of the Commercial Bank of Africa and the Dutch Embassy in Kenya.

Sounds of Kenya: Singer and songwriter Semeiyan Kaorri blends Masaai, traditional Kenyan music and contemporary sounds. Her live performance from her album “Nichikue” will bring joy and celebration and is guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet.

Semeiyan is a passionate singer, with clear and smooth vocals. Her songs feature a blend of Maasai and other traditional Kenyan music, and contemporary pop sounds. In live performances, Semeiyan exudes joy and celebration, changing the atmosphere of any room

Cheza Nami Drum Circle: Led by master percussionist and drummer Ibou Ngom, this thrilling interactive drum circle to close the event is set to get the audience join in rhythm and pick a few African dance moves.

Other activities include children's crafts and African-style face painting, and a chance to win some fabulous prizes. 

Come play with us and celebrate the beauty of Kenyan culture!

WHO: Cheza Nami Foundation’s community of supporters and friends

WHAT: A taste of Kenya, Cheza Nami's celebration of arts and culture event

WHEN: Sunday, November 17th, 2013 from 3pm – 6pm

WHERE: Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St. LIVERMORE CALIFORNIA 94551

COST: General Admission, - $10. Executive Admission - $25 and includes general admission and 2 raffle tickets.  VIP Admission - $40 and  includes general admission and 4 raffle tickets.

TICKETS: http://chezanamikenya.brownpapertickets.com 
For sponsorship opportunities, to make a donation or to find out how you can support this event, please visit our event page or give us a call at 925-398-3827