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Although the very first version of Christianity was purely western, the religion has greatly evolved to embrace African traditions giving birth to religious ceremonies with a native touch. The following African traditions have successfully taken root in the festivity culture now knocking on our doors! Yuletide Traditions in West African Although the roots of this…
Simon’s love for West African art was sparked in 1997 when he ventured to Ghana on a musical pilgrimage. He instantly fell for the creative soul of the region and returned for a truly epic tour the following year: a 8,000km journey across Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali. It is Simon’s belief…
With Christmas is just around the corner, we thought we’d take a look at how different countries in West Africa celebrate the holiday. Christianity has been on the continent since the middle of the first century, and approximately 350 million Africans follow the religion. By now people have developed their own unique holiday traditions that…
From colonial times to the present day, the main area of glass bead manufacture is West Africa. Ghana is regarded as the Bead Production Capital of the World. We hand pick our beads with an eye for quality and beauty from our long standing trade partner Mohammad, who trades from Agbogbloshie Market in greater Accra, the capital…
The Bwa or Bwaba (plural), or Bobo-Wule (Bobo-Oule), are an ethnic group indigenous to central Burkina Faso. They are known for their use of masks, made from leaves or wood, used in performative rituals. Burkina Faso is a small, landlocked country north of Ghana and south of Mali and Niger. Culturally, it is extremely rich. In…
Your fresh and fabulous basket will be flat packed and will need some life breathed into it. The good news is that the care instructions are simple. Soak the basket. This can be done in the sink, bath or under the shower. Work the reed. The reed becomes malleable when soaked. Work them gently and start forming…
Voodoo (Vodun) is a derivative of the world’s oldest known religions which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilization. The word “voodoo” comes from the West African word “vodun,” meaning spirit. West African voodoo is practiced by about 30 million people, and is most prominant in nations like Ghana, Benin and…
African batiks were pioneered by the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria and the Wolof of Senegal. Eventually blending with similar mediums from Asia, batiks have become highly cherished across West Africa. Blending traditional and contemporary techniques, designs can portray everything from marital status to political, religious beliefs and cultural stories. Prints range from abstract geometry to…
Hand-woven from the elephant grass that grows in the rich flood plains of the White Volta near the village of Bolgatanga, Northern Ghana, these baskets are our most popular product. Equipped with durable leather handles they’re perfect for shopping, in the garden and around the home. We include a care and shaping guide to keep…
Colonial statues are a genre of wooden figurative sculpture within African Art which originated during the colonial period. The statues commonly depict European colonial officials such as civil servants, doctors, soldiers or technicians or Europeanised middle-class Africans. They are often characterised by recurrent decorative motifs, such as suits, official uniforms or tobacco pipes, and are painted in bright or glossy colours with…
The Dogon people of Central Mali are best known for their religious traditions, wood work and architecture. Due to the spiritual intent behind their craft, it has remained one of the most authentic in Africa. Dogon doors are intricately carved masterpieces from one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Traditionally used as granary…
Bogolan means ‘made from mud’ in Bambara, the main language of Mali. The Bogolan technique of dyeing and printing cotton is entirely organic and kind to the environment. It contains no harmful mordants or chemicals as the dye is made from dried leaves and tree bark. Bogolan is the quintessential West African textile, also called…
