Last Year we had the pleasure to host Dutch fashion designer Jan Boelo for 4 days in Karamoja for an inspirational trip. This month his story was featured in Marie Claire magazine and the designer wrote a beautiful story about his #DiscoverKaramoja experience and the creation of a garment based on the iconic Karamojong sheet.
“Africa already attracted me for a long time. About a year ago, I saw a documentary about the East-African countries. I was fascinated about what was shown. By talking about that documentary with a friend, I was introduced to Theo Vos (Founder, Kara-Tunga). Theo was living in Groningen but originally from Karamoja, Uganda. We met with each other at the JANBOELO studio in Winschoten and spoke about Uganda, with Karamoja in particular. I was immediately intrigued about the wonderful pictures and stories he shared! As a gift, Theo gave me a Nakatukok. A Nakatukok is some sort of blanket which the Karamajong use as a garment, blanket, baby carrier etc. This inspired me to see how we could make something like that for the European market.
Time passed and I still walked around with the idea from the Nakatukok. In the passing time, I met some people in Amsterdam from the DesignHub in Kampala Uganda. They were working on a project to collaborate with Dutch and Ugandan companies. This was the moment that everything came together. After much talking about the possibilities I took the plunge: I go to Uganda!
I have kept contact with Theo as well all that time and he wanted to show me Karamoja as I arrived. He would give me insight in the Karamojong and their habits. So the moment I arrived in Entebbe, Theo picked me up at the airport. Together with my brother and Julius, one of the guides from Theo’s company, Kara-Tunga, we started our journey to Karamoja.”
I decided to go full on Karamojong and immerse myself in the culture by wearing the native dress and experiencing the simple life not as a tourist, but as a local. I find through my travels that this truly is the best way to learn about people and their way of life. This humility in …
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tour of Karamoja 2023. It was an experience to treasure! I love it, but much more so after I had finished the Southern Circuit. It was tough. I really like the tour for the following reasons:
Last November 2018, Theo (founder/director of Kara-Tunga) asked me to come to Moroto to coordinate the research for the Karamoja Tourism Academy. I never hesitated and resigned from my job in the Netherlands. A few weeks later I was there, fresh in Karamoja.
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda – This incredible organization was founded when a passionate half-Dutch/half-Karamojong came back to Uganda to explore his roots, traveling for months talking to elders, climbing mountains, and exploring the culture. Since its start, Kara-Tunga continues lifting up the culture and the people of Karamoja.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
Dutch Fashion Designer travels Karamoja for Inspiration
Last Year we had the pleasure to host Dutch fashion designer Jan Boelo for 4 days in Karamoja for an inspirational trip. This month his story was featured in Marie Claire magazine and the designer wrote a beautiful story about his #DiscoverKaramoja experience and the creation of a garment based on the iconic Karamojong sheet.
“Africa already attracted me for a long time. About a year ago, I saw a documentary about the East-African countries. I was fascinated about what was shown. By talking about that documentary with a friend, I was introduced to Theo Vos (Founder, Kara-Tunga). Theo was living in Groningen but originally from Karamoja, Uganda. We met with each other at the JANBOELO studio in Winschoten and spoke about Uganda, with Karamoja in particular. I was immediately intrigued about the wonderful pictures and stories he shared! As a gift, Theo gave me a Nakatukok. A Nakatukok is some sort of blanket which the Karamajong use as a garment, blanket, baby carrier etc. This inspired me to see how we could make something like that for the European market.
Time passed and I still walked around with the idea from the Nakatukok. In the passing time, I met some people in Amsterdam from the DesignHub in Kampala Uganda. They were working on a project to collaborate with Dutch and Ugandan companies. This was the moment that everything came together. After much talking about the possibilities I took the plunge: I go to Uganda!
I have kept contact with Theo as well all that time and he wanted to show me Karamoja as I arrived. He would give me insight in the Karamojong and their habits. So the moment I arrived in Entebbe, Theo picked me up at the airport. Together with my brother and Julius, one of the guides from Theo’s company, Kara-Tunga, we started our journey to Karamoja.”
Read the full story on the website of Jan Boelo: www.janboelo.com/uganda/
Related Posts
I Immersed in the Karimojong culture, experience it as a local
I decided to go full on Karamojong and immerse myself in the culture by wearing the native dress and experiencing the simple life not as a tourist, but as a local. I find through my travels that this truly is the best way to learn about people and their way of life. This humility in …
Testimonial: An experience to treasure
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tour of Karamoja 2023. It was an experience to treasure! I love it, but much more so after I had finished the Southern Circuit. It was tough. I really like the tour for the following reasons:
My unforgettable six months in Northeast Uganda developing Karamoja Tourism Academy
Last November 2018, Theo (founder/director of Kara-Tunga) asked me to come to Moroto to coordinate the research for the Karamoja Tourism Academy. I never hesitated and resigned from my job in the Netherlands. A few weeks later I was there, fresh in Karamoja.
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda – This incredible organization was founded when a passionate half-Dutch/half-Karamojong came back to Uganda to explore his roots, traveling for months talking to elders, climbing mountains, and exploring the culture. Since its start, Kara-Tunga continues lifting up the culture and the people of Karamoja.