News & Events Archives

Early Activities of 2004 at ZIZINI! this winter and early spring, include displays of contemporary African Artists...and Artisans, Drummers.....workshops, presentations about various African countries, wildlife and natural resources and more.....please contact us for specific information and enlisting!

October, 2003,READ ALL ABOUT IT!.....A BRIDGE OF BOOKS- Allan Shaidi (left) of ZIZINI on main Street donated $1000 worth of books to Hyannis West Elementary School, last week, which were happily received by Principal Fred Scully. The donation is part of Zizini's effort to be a cultural bridge for the community to African countries. Similar donations have been made to Hyannis East Elementary and Sturgis Charter School.

July 2nd 2003, It is now eight weeks since ZIZINI swung its doors wide open to the public, it has confirmed to us that the local community and visitors alike, are receptive and excited for such a diversity on Main Street Hyannis that ZIZINI brings to Hyannis, the hub of Cape Cod.
Even neighboring businesses are excited to see the first African shop come to Main Street....bringing a unique theme and decor to Hyannis and the whole of Cape Cod, people of all ages have been impressed and fascinated with our selections!
Our very different looking logo and most importantly, Crafts emanating from East Africa predominantly, some from Ghana, have made our shop at 382 Main Street a delightful destination for both customers and browsers, from Mother's Day weekend to Fathers Day beginning the Summer 2003! For which we at ZIZINI would like to thank both our customers and browsers Alike. We do realize that with such a welcome comes a huge responsibility to keep our customers fulfilled and excited, please feel free to contact us with your suggestions and comments.

May 9, 2003, Zizini East African Arts & Crafts at 382 Main Street in Hyannis finally opened its doors to the public! Customers and browsers alike were impressed and fascinated by the merchandise ranging from intricate art and sculptures to beautiful paintings garments and jewelry and cute works of art that are appealing to people of all ages! Their second day was the Saturday before Mother's Day! Their best reviews from visitors were much appreciated, exclamations like "this is my kind of shop," "beautiful stuff" and "Cute" were a befitting pat on the back for Nancy Burke, John Fenton, Stephanie Blaisdell as well as Willie and Allan Shaidi, just to name a few people who have volunteered their time to make this project a success. The folks at Zizini hope that the shop will be a cultural bridge to East Africa, and bring people closer together through art, music, literature and the various products made by the Artisans.

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EDWARD F. MARONEY PHOTOS

STAMPEDE! These soapstone animals appear to be running away from Nancy
Burke, a consultant helping to set up Zizini Arts and Crafts on Main Street.
She's seen the real thing in Africa, and wants to return to complete her
hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Zizini putting down roots on Main Street African art will be featured
Everyone talks about setting up "business incubators" on the Cape to help grow fledgling companies. Who knew that the Hyannis Street Festival already is one?

The Thursday summertime events brought Allan Shaidi, owner of Zizini Arts and Crafts, and consultant Nancy Burke to town to offer a wide and deep variety of African items.

Patrons kept asking, "Where is your shop?" Now Shaidi has an answer. Zizini (or "at the roots") will open in the space formerly occupied by Stephanie's Swimwear across from town hall on Mother's Day weekend.

Shaidi hails from Tanzania, the East African country created out of the
union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. He was schooled in hotel
management and held positions in the tourism industry there before coming to
the U.S. a decade ago with his then-wife, an American. He worked with mentally and physically handicapped people, then switched to cross-country truck driving. "It wasn't fulfilling,"he said. What would fulfill him? "I'm an artist," Shaidi declared. "I haven't painted for a long time." His appreciation for art is what led him to begin buying and selling the works that appear in his store.
"I enjoy promoting artists,"he said. "They are a way of bringing cultures
closer together."He noted that the company's Web site (www.africancrafters.com) will soon have information about the creators.
As Shaidi and Burke unpacked cartons from Africa, she spoke of "feeling
connected to the person who made that product. I can envision them at the
potter's wheel." She gestured toward sturdy, attractive plates and cups that she said were made at the Kizuri bead and pottery in Kenya begun by author Karen von Blixen, who wrote as Isak Dinesen, to help women without spouses and handicapped people.

"I've been there myself," she said. She met Shaidi on a visit to Africa
three years ago, satisfying a lifelong ambition to see the continent. A Cape
resident for 20 years, she stopped working in the medical profession
recently to "put a lot of effort into making this a viable enterprise."
"I hope this shop," said Shaidi, "will be a good link for cultural
understanding."

By Edward F. Maroney