Craft Village, a palace of art!

CHARLES BUKENYA

Art is arguably one of the wonders of the world.

From terrains, hills and valleys dictated to exist by the Alpha and Omega (God) to craft moulded pieces by the machination of the talent of man.

All is undoubtedly beauty espoused at last. Indeed despite the unfathomable natural art, manmade art can draw more fascination as you keep pondering how the mental facility of man hatched the idea of producing such an amazing craft out of sheer imagination.

Now a walk into the craft village can only leave you mesmerised by the dispensation of monumental talents individuals exhibit as you glare at the craft pieces displayed in shops.

Even though not much can be said about its inception, the booming businesses in this art palace is what catches your eye.

Petra Naiga, one of the traders in this palace finds it more convenient to speak to this writer in the local dialect.

She reminisces endlessly about a friend who passionately persuaded her to join this industry even though she was undeniably obscure of what it would culminate into.

Now, her smile only tells a story of a successful business woman enjoying the returns of her prosperous stall.

However, is it all only rosy? Astutely No! Just as every single individual who ventures into business experiences hurdles.

Naiga is not out of the box as she recounts several challenges she never envisaged while starting her business.

"Rent is high which impedes us from making good profits,” she argues.

Undeniably high taxes have been a big constraint to her as she cannot expand her stall. Indeed a haggard face she wears feigns her depression.

"But we have nothing to do about it,” she retorts.

Surely this speaks of a person determined to carry her business forward despite this challenge.

But this is only to be added to murky seasons which make sales too low as she explains that most of her sales are made during the festive season as people scramble to beautify their homes with art just to spur elegance on Christmas.

From March to May, it is exceedingly tough for them and they only regain normal sales in June while those that ventured abroad for employment opportunities set foot back home.

With the adoption of western styles of living which they deeply immerse themselves, Art cannot skip their fascination.

But have profits been the only benefit accrued from this business? Naiga now prides herself in having inculcated in her good self a spirit of honesty as she has been constantly confronted with receiving more money for her products than the actual price.

This is because many of her foreign clients are ignorant of the probable value of our currency.

"I give them back their exact change,” Naiga cements her honesty.

This has perhaps been an addition to her gaining strong inter personal skills owing to the fact that she can now humbly handle different clients.

Today she boasts about knowing a few words in German and French because of her foreign customers.

Hope you take a visit to craft village and savor the beauty of art!