We, Maji
Nairobi derives its name from the Maasai phrase ‘Enkare Nyrobi’ (‘cool water’), a tribute to the waterways that once coursed through what is now Kenya’s capital city. This symbolism is apt, reflecting the essence of Nairobi and its people: resilient, dynamic and essential to the lifeblood of the nation.
Much like water – fluid, adaptive and unyielding – the new generation of Kenyan creatives are flowing through diverse mediums and formats with a relentless drive to innovate. They capture, document and bear witness to everything from the mundane to the extraordinary – and the countless universes in between.
The We, Maji issue provides a snapshot of the thriving ecosystem these talents are building. From the image-making collective 199x’s collaboration with visionary designer Anil Padia offering a nuanced exploration of softened masculinities, to musical artist Nyokabi Kariuki’s hypnotic, siren-like vocals and compositions which are redefining sonic storytelling, to Joshua Obaga’s poetic alchemy of flavours and evocative narratives told through his artisanal ice cream – we welcome you into Kenya’s hub of ingenuity and cultural re-imagination.
Sunny Dolat, guest editor
From the sun gods of Mambrui to the surfers of Rio, what ties all the stories in this issue together is meditation on Maji (water in Swahili). Together, let’s explore the movements, myths and memories that draw us all to the shore…
