The History of Kisii Soapstone Carving in Kenya

Pick up almost any handmade souvenir from Kenya and there is a good chance it was carved from soapstone. Smooth to the touch, vivid in colour, and shaped entirely by hand — Kisii soapstone is one of East Africa’s most enduring and celebrated craft traditions. But how did it begin, and how is it made?

Where it comes from

Soapstone — known scientifically as steatite — is a soft metamorphic rock found in abundance in the hills around Kisii in western Kenya. The Gusii people of Kisii have been quarrying and carving this stone for generations, though the craft as we know it today began to take its modern form in the mid-twentieth century as demand from tourists and export markets grew.

The stone gets its name from its feel: soft and slightly waxy, almost soapy to the touch. It is this softness — rating just 1 to 2 on the Mohs hardness scale — that makes it ideal for carving. A skilled artisan can shape a small figurine in a matter of hours using nothing more than a metal file and sandpaper.

How soapstone is carved

The process begins at the quarry, where blocks of raw stone are cut by hand from the hillside. Each block is then shaped into a rough form — an animal, a bowl, a box — before the fine detailing begins. The carving is done entirely freehand, with no templates or mechanical guides. Every piece is different.

Once the carving is complete, the stone is smoothed with progressively finer sandpaper and then coloured. Traditionally, natural pigments from local plants and soils were used. Today, most artisans use a combination of oil-based dyes and wax polish to achieve the vivid colours and deep shine that Kisii soapstone is known for. The final piece is buffed by hand until it glows.

The artisans behind the craft

Soapstone carving in Kisii is a family tradition, passed down from parents to children over generations. In many families, carving is a shared activity — different family members specialise in different stages of the process, from rough shaping to fine detailing to painting and polishing.

At Banana Box, we have worked with Kisii soapstone artisans since our founding in 1991. The craftspeople we work with are not factory workers producing identical pieces on a production line. They are artists, each with their own style and signature. When you look closely at two pieces from the same range, you will always find small differences — a slightly different expression on a hippo’s face, a variation in the pattern on a box lid. These differences are not imperfections. They are the mark of a human hand.

What makes Kisii soapstone special

Beyond its beauty, soapstone carving has deep economic importance for the Kisii region. For thousands of families, it is a primary source of income, supporting not just the carvers themselves but the wider community — schools, health care, food on the table.

Buying a piece of Kisii soapstone is not just buying a beautiful object. It is supporting a craft tradition that has sustained communities for generations, and ensuring that the next generation of young Kenyans has a reason to keep it alive.

Explore our soapstone collection

At Banana Box we stock a wide range of hand-carved Kisii soapstone products — from miniature animals and hippo bowls to beaded boxes, candle holders and toothpick holders. Every piece is sourced directly from our artisan partners in Kenya, fairly priced and ready to ship worldwide.

Browse our full soapstone collection — and if you have a question about any piece or would like to discuss a wholesale order, get in touch with us.