Lying in the Red Volta River Valley of North Ghana is the colourful town of Bolgatana. Commonly known as Bolga, this district capital is one of Ghana’s famous market cities renowned for its beautiful handicrafts – crowned as the crafts centre of Ghana’s Upper East region. Its larger-than-life central market is where you can find one-of-a-kind Bolga baskets, hats and fans, among beautiful leather goods, jewellery and indigenous clothing.
We aim to share this wonderful creative culture with the Australian public. Our Bolga products are sourced directly from the locals of Bolgatana, who create our wonderful baskets, bags, hats, fans and more. Woven into each of these unique products are stories of the land, the town and of the people themselves.
Masks hold a deep cultural significance in West African societies and they are used as part of social and religious rituals. It is believed that they protect those wearing them, helping the wearer communicate with gods, spirits, and ancestors. Traditionally, the masks are believed to trap and control the spirit of the wearer for the…
African MARKET BASKET In many African cultures, the term ‘Bashiri’ holds deep significance, embodying the spirit of generosity and communal ties. Rooted in Swahili, Bashiri signifies a thoughtful gesture, often expressed through the exchange of meaningful gifts. This tradition goes beyond material exchange; it symbolizes the bonds that connect individuals and communities. A gift of…
The weaving process Generations of women in the Bolgatanga region of Northern Ghana gather underneath a lush mango tree, singing, dancing, and laughing as they weave. The baskets they weave are woven with the sustainable elephant grass that is harvested, dried, and boiled to then dye with radiant colours. The weavers split each length of grass into two,…
We have a large new range of textiles in stock, including traditional mudcloth and brand new indigo cotton. A softer alternative to mudcloth, indigo cotton is prized in West Africa and has become a global favourite among creators and consumers alike. Shop our range of textiles here
Documentary photographer and filmmaker Sélim Harbi, is passionate about the African continent, its history and cultures. He is the co-founder of Afreekyama; a pan-african photojournalism and multimedia storytelling collective. In 2014 he spent nine months working on his photo series: ‘Woongo, Behind the Masks.’ Woongo is the term used for “masks” in the Mooré language, spoken…
Fashion, art or both? Our hand crafted goods are bursting with style! Check out a few of our many Bolga accessories on offer. Hats One of a kind hats that are hand woven from sustainable Kinkanhe straw. They look good whether they’re sitting on your head or sitting on your bench. Bags Our long handle…