LONG-TERM APPRENTICESHIPS: TRADITIONAL SWAHILI WOODCARVING

Learn traditional ways of Swahili Woodcarving Art idyllic Lamu island. Where life is slow enough for your creativity to truly come alive. This apprenticeship option offers you a way to enjoy the island as well as leave with valuable skills that would help you to confidently embark on doing your own projects.

The apprenticeship is scheduled according to the days that you have available to learn. You get to spend full days with me and truly immerse yourself into the craft to get to proficiency levels with woodcarving and handling tools for basic woodworking.

I work with you at a steady step- by- step pace so as to ensure maximum uptake of the hands-on skills. There will be amazing projects to do, so as to hone your craftsmanship in traditional Swahili woodcarving.

What to expect:

In addition to the basic  3 hour introductory lesson, I will take you on a tour to view local Lamu doors and acquaint yourself with their various designs and learn their rich histories. This will form a solid base for inspiration for the projects that we would undertake.

I would teach you how to use long-handled gouges and chisels for traditional Swahili woodcarving. Sharp tools are imperative for effective carving, and thus I will invest in teaching you how to sharpen your tools using traditional hand-sharpening techniques.

Additionally, I will show you how to use basic woodworking hand tools (depending on the time that you have available) This would help you in upskill you further in your journey. We would work on some of my various projects or your own personal project that you would like to bring to life.

Personal projects

Do you have a wood project that you would like to undertake and would like help in how to go about it. I offer project consultations as part of the apprenticeship program. We would work on the skills required to do your particular project. If required, we would incorporate skills from the diverse creative network of artisans in different traditional crafts available on the island. Then we would undertake your project together.

The apprenticeships costs $75/day per person. 

Lamu Island has a myriad of hotel options in different price ranges for you to choose from during your apprenticeship period with me.

 Connect with me for availability for your apprenticeship program here.