Maasai Women Art (registered as Tanzania Maasai Women Art Limited) is a Tanzanian locally owned and managed company that sells high quality Maasai jewellery combining traditional beading techniques with Italian elegance. The company guarantees fair working and trading conditions to Maasai women and encourages environmentally friendly practices.

Maasai Women Art started in 2006 as a project of the NGO Istituto Oikos and Oikos East Africa in partnership with Istituto Europeo di Design. In 2008 Maasai Women Art became an independent and self-sustaining organization.

Maasai Women Art believes in supporting local communities through education and traditional skills. MWA aims at empowering Maasai Women to improve their lives by learning how to create sustainable incomes.

The main group of women has registered its own cooperative and its own bank account and is using funds from the jewellery sales to set up goat projects and to explore further income generating initiatives. The group owns
a piece of land and a simple building which provide a base for its activities.

The women have gained self-esteem and feel more confident to stand up for themselves. The Mkuru women community finally recognizes the importance of school education. Seven young girls are now attending
secondary school.

The retail outlet in Arusha opened in April 2009, contributing to a higher profile for the company and a wider
exposure of the products.

An office and workshop space has been created in Arusha to facilitate trainings and ongoing beading development.

Maasai Women Art jewellery is sold internationally.

The Team

Francesca Torri Soldini
Art Director

Marina Oliver
Managing Director

Rose Emanueli
Personal Assitant

Elisabeth Saibulu (Mama Eva)
Technician