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.”
Authentic Karamoja tour – I spent 5 days in the Karamoja region of Uganda in March – I was looking for a culturally sensitive experience visiting the people of the area and that is was the staff at Kara-Tunga provided.
Maria Schiffer, 11th December 2022 – I’m back in Uganda because of Theo, whom I met while working on my book Eating With Africa In 2018. I’ve been traveling along the Warrior Nomad Trail the last week, researching and experiencing Community Tourism.
Early April 2018 we hosted we had the pleasure to host the renown Belgium outdoor travel journalist ‘Jonathan Vandevoorde’ in northeast Uganda aimed at producing several publications in Belgium-Dutch newspapers and magazines.
“We were 2 friends looking for a small Hike around Mount Moroto and what we experienced was beyond our expectations! Amazing hike organised with beautiful views and villages! Great interaction with the locals as well!” (Read the original review by Eleanor Pairet on Facebook)
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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/
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