Johanna Shilongo produces all the clothing sold at her stall. The distinctive striped material used for the traditional dresses worn by Namibia’s Owambo women, represent the three different tribes – the Kwanyama, Ndonga and Ngandjera. Traditional the pink colour was obtained by grinding stone, and the fabric is known as Ondelela.
Johanna also buys traditional Owambo baskets and wooden utensils and animals from the north of Namibia. Anyone desiring to have a taste of Owambo customs and tradition in their homes, must visit Ondjaba stall....
In 1990, Paul Goldbach met Paulo Cashinga, a Namibian from Kavango, and a skilled woodcarver, on a farm near Tsumeb, north-central Namibia. Goldbach had first encountered root carving in South America but when he witnessed Cashinga carve a springbok from a root, he was so impressed he asked Cashinga to join him in a business venture. One of Paulo’s sculptures won a prize in a national art competition, giving the duo the required confidence to invest in and expand Tikoloshe Afrika.
It takes a trained eye and a...
The distinctive embroidery of Oasa Taradi is the result of years of careful cultivation and dedication. Unique, bold, eye-catching and well executed, the beautifully embroidered cushion covers, tablecloths, serviettes, aprons and placemats of Oasa Taradi are the finished products of underprivileged women in Namibia.
‘Oasa Taradi’ means ‘busy women’ in Nama/Damara, an indigenous Namibian language. The trust developed from a sewing project started by the Red Cross in 1989. The project engaged underprivileged Namibian women to sew and repair clothing using sewing machines donated by the Red Cross....
The name ‘Limbandungila’ means ‘walk slowly’ in Oshiwambo, an indigenous language of northern Namibia and owner, Ottilie Nghiitwikwa, is a connoisseur of hand-carved wooden crafts from north and north-eastern Namibia.
Limbandungila was established in 1997 and stocks beautifully hand-carved wooden masks, paintings in relief, ceremonial masks and wildlife figurines, including traditional Namibian items such as bowls, cups and woven harvest baskets, predominantly from cultural groups in northern Namibia, selected with great care for her customers by Nghiitwikwa.
Her enterprise and initiative supports several rural producers and craftsmen, necessitating Ottilie...
Mewiliko Gift Shop opened for business in 1999 at the Namibia Craft Centre, and stocks a unique range and collection of affordable and useful gifts. The shop is owned and managed by Anna Hango, who takes a keen interest in the needs of her customers.
On the shelves of Mewiliko are handmade products made almost entirely of natural materials and ingredients found in Namibia and a wide variety of unique wooden products from Kenya. Rare souvenirs made of bone, horns, ostrich shell and a range of cosmetics such...
