Mikeka
Mikeka (sg. mkeka) are plaited mats made from mkindu (wild date palm) strips. Usually made by women, mikeka are multicoloured and adorned with intricate patterns and interwoven poetry. In the past, such mats were crafted, commissioned, and exchanged as valuable gifts. Woven mats take on meaning during rites of passage such as wedding ceremonies. Brought to life as gifts that are exchanged within music and dance performances, mikeka weave together Swahili tangible and intangible cultural heritage and materialise the most highly valued Swahili art form: performed poetry.
The historical mikeka have inspired conversations and cooperations regarding endangered cultural heritage and envisioned futures. They have prompted the reactivation of the practice of plaiting Swahili poetry in Arabic script into mikeka.
