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African Villagers Sold on the Simpsons

Tribe members market soapstone carvings of the cantankerous family

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 26, 2007 5:25 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Villagers in a remote Kenyan village are thrilled about tomorrow’s premiere of The Simpsons movie, but not because it’s playing in a theater near them. Most, in fact, have never even seen the TV show. But their soapstone busts of the cartoon characters have been declared official Simpsons merchandise, and business is booming, the BBC reports.

The carving craft has been passed down through several generations of the Abagusii tribe. Their pieces used to sell for $1 each. But carvings of the dysfunctional Springfield residents fetch $6 apiece, and prices are expected to climb. "I don't know who they are," said one craftswoman of the Simpsons. "But I like them because I earn from them."

Characters from The Simpsons pose before the premiere of The Simpsons Movie, Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the town's movie theater in Springfield, Vt. Vermont's Springfield beat out 13 other like-named cities for the right to host the premiere. The movie opens July 27. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
Characters from The Simpsons pose before the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie," Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the town's movie theater in Springfield, Vt. Vermont's Springfield beat out 13 other like-named...   (Associated Press)
A poster of character Homer Simpson is displayed in the window of the 56 Main Street restaurant, Friday, July 20, 2007 along Main Street of Springfield, Vermont the day before the premiere of The Simpsons Movie,' in the town's 100-seat movie theater. Springfield, Vermont beat out 13 other like-named...
A poster of character Homer Simpson is displayed in the window of the 56 Main Street restaurant, Friday, July 20, 2007 along Main Street of Springfield, Vermont the day before the premiere of "The Simpsons...   (Associated Press)
Character Homer Simpson, left, plays for the crowd and grabs Bart Simpson, center, by the neck before the premiere of The Simpsons Movie, Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the town's movie theater in Springfield, Vt. Springfield, Vt. beat out 13 other like-named cities for the right to host the premiere....
Character Homer Simpson, left, plays for the crowd and grabs Bart Simpson, center, by the neck before the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie," Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the town's movie theater in Springfield,...   (Associated Press)
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Simpsons Movie wins domain name fight
Associated Press

Where's all the Simpsons merchandise?
American Chronicle

 
Africa • Kenya • The Simpsons • The Simpsons Movie • Twentieth Century Fox • soapstone • Abagusii

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