The soapstone hippos are carved by the artists of SMOLArt a group of artists who live in the rural village of Tabaka, Kenya, the heart of soapstone crafts. Established in 1990, SMOLArt is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, and as such assures that the artisans are paid a fair price for their work. Soapstone is mined from great pits in the area surrounding Kisii, Kenya.