There is a lot of talk about sustainability and ethical shopping these days, and for good reason. The way we consume affects not only the environment but also the people who make the products we buy. This is why supporting African artisans by shopping for handcrafted items is such a great idea. Not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind product, but you are also helping to preserve traditional craftsmanship. In this article, we will showcase five of the best African handcrafted products that will make you proud to be an ethical shopper! African Handcrafts 1. African Wall Baskets - The oldest known baskets were discovered in Faiyum in upper Egypt and have been carbon dated to between 10,000 and 12,000 years old,...
The art creates the material that we look back upon as part of history - Roy Decarava African art has a timeless quality to it that's captivating and unique. It's steeped in tradition, but there's a modern edge to much of the work being created today. You may be wondering what inspires this type of art and why it's so popular. Well, Paulski Art exists to explore these questions and more as we take a closer look at African art and the artists who create it. African art is a unique form of expression that draws on the many cultures of the African continent. You might see influences from traditional African masks and sculptures in the work of contemporary African artists,...
A Tree of Life is a symbolic expression found in many cultures around the world. It represents wisdom, growth, transformation, interconnectedness, unity, and continuity. The Makonde people are a Bantu-speaking group of people in the southern part of Tanzania and northern Mozambique, who have been practicing wood carving for centuries as the main occupation.  They have a rich history that is closely linked to their culture, religion, and art. I can just imagine living in the Southern Highland of Tanzania... savannas, woodlands, grasslands, and forests surrounding me like mother nature’s hugging envelope, not forgetting that the region is among the richest and most important production areas for grains and potatoes, and the main source of timber in Tanzania. Notably, we are aware...
Have you ever heard of the African Baule bead mask? The Baule mask is a cultural symbol that has been around for centuries. The Baule people, who are from the Ivory Coast and Ghana, first began making these masks more than 1,000 years ago. Where were you 1,000 years ago? Not even in the idea of conception! They were used in ceremonies to honor the dead and the cycle of life. You see, the cycle of life in Africa is not just about the birth and death of people, but also about the changing seasons, nature and wildlife. The Baule people believe that the mask is a representation of the human soul. African masks show the powerful cultural legacy of...
