THE MEANING OF KANGA: A JOURNEY OF INSPIRATION

In 2006, Emma Bonnici’s enchantment with the Kanga cloth began during her time living and working in Kenya. This African fabric, resembling a vast social poetry performance, acts as a living book of poems bound by the body and interpreted by those who read, creating a tapestry of numerous meanings. The multifaceted and functional Kanga cloth is not merely a visual delight but also a fabric that serves as a ‘message in motion.’

During her days living on the coast of Kenya, Emma crafted earrings from feathers found on the grass where Kanga birds frequented. Unbeknownst to her, these birds were named “Kanga” in Swahili. Later, she discovered that the Kanga cloth was, in fact, named after this bird, known for its sociable and chatty nature. The spots on the Kanga cloth beautifully represent the elegant plumage of the Kanga bird. This connection with the lively and social bird became the inspiration for the birth and creation of Kanga cloths, weaving a profound link between the fabric and the spirited essence of the Kanga.

Later, immersed in her yoga practice influenced by Ashtanga Vinyasa, Sivanada, Iyengar Yoga, and Ayurveda while living and working in India, Emma realized the profound impact of adapting yoga to individual needs and the healing power of music. Her experience teaching yoga in Madhya Pradesh and writing a yoga column for the Hindustan Times deepened her understanding of the transformative power of music.

 “Even inanimate objects are moved by the music. Through music the soul learns harmony and rhythm and an even disposition to justice. Rhythm and harmony find their way into the secret notches of the soul and keep it entirely oblivious of the outside world, in sublime peace.” ~ Sivananda

Embracing the belief that energy shifts with our environment, seasons, and lifestyle, Emma incorporated elements of different yoga practices and music into her classes. Upon returning to the UK in 2009 and running Kanga Events, her classes earned the moniker ‘Kanga Yoga’ in London’s studios and events. Encouraged by advice from a wise woman at the Sivananda Centre in Putney, Emma embraced the flow.

In 2010, fate led Emma back to the magical land of Laikipia in Kenya, where she planted the seeds for Kanga Yoga and Ayurveda retreats. Arriving at the camp, she found it adorned with the elegantly spotted feathers of the Kanga, affirming the magical journey she had embarked upon.

Emma believes our energy changes according to the environment we exist in, along with connected seasons and lifestyle. With this in mind, Emma focused on the energy of her students, whilst also incorporating music and elements of different yoga practices into each class. Upon her return to the UK in 2009 when running Kanga Events (a wellbeing events company), her classes became remarkably referred to as ‘Kanga Yoga’ by studios and events in London. Soon after, Emma then followed the advice of a wise women in the Sivananda Centre in Putney, and ‘went with the flow’. In 2010 it was fate that guided Emma back to the magical land of Laikipia in Kenya, to a camp where she decided to plant the seeds for Kanga Yoga and Ayurveda retreats. When Emma arrived at the camp, she discovered it beautifully decorated with the elegantly, spotted feathers of the Kanga!

“If you believe in the magic, you will see the magic” ~ Emma Bonnici