Is The African Fabric Shop a fair trade business?
It's a question that crops up more and more in emails and at shows.Because my fabrics and beads come from a variety of sources, some hand-made by artisans and some manufactured, it is difficult for me to make a blanket "fair trade" statement, in the sense that it is generally understood.
So, with the issue of "Fair Trade" in mind, I'll tell you a bit about how I source my fabrics and beads and my relationship with the people who produce them.
Hand-dyed Batiks from Ghana and The Gambia
I buy most of these fabrics directly from the dyers, who generally work at home in their "compounds". Sometimes I order specific patterns and colours, for example with the Kola nut and Indigo designs I buy from Musa in The Gambia. I always pay a fair price to these artisans for three reasons.
- A fair price means I get top quality for my customers.
- My business means a lot to them and helps them support their extended families.
- Over the years the dyers have become more than suppliers. They are my friends.
Kudinda is located in Zimbabwe; Langa Lapu and Amafu are in South Africa. All three were started by locally born white women with an artistic flair and a desire to make a difference. These small, creative enterprises provide much-needed training and employment, most often for women. By buying from them, I am supporting these vulnerable communities.
Whole Cloths - Mud Cloths and Indigo
I either purchase these cloths directly form the makers in West Africa, or via a trusted third party. My policy is always to pay a fair price.
Hand-made Beads from Ghana
I buy most of my beads directly from the makers, usually by travelling to their homes and compounds. Sometimes, when I can't get to Ghana, I buy through a trusted fair trade supplier in Accra. In either case, I always pay a fair price to the makers.
Hand-made Buttons from South Africa
The Incomparable Button company is a small, community based operation which trains and employs local women who would otherwise struggle to support their families.
Hand-embroidered Tambani Panels from South Africa
This project provides training and employment for 65 women in a remote, rural community.
Wax Prints and Shwe Shwe Fabrics
Both of these fabrics are manufactured by large textile companies. Most of my wax prints come from Ghana, though occasionally I have some prints that were produced in the UK for the African market, just as they have been since the industrial revolution. I get my Shwe Shwe fabric directly from Da Gama Textiles in South Africa. This company is 40% owned by the workers.
Thanks for sharing this information, Amanda. I think Africans are really good with their crafts. And I believe that’s part of their cultural heritage. From what I understand of how you conduct trade and business with your fabric suppliers, I think you’re doing it fairly. As you said, buying from them directly instead of through a shop or a middle man is actually a better way of supporting artisans, their craft, and their people.
ReplyDeleteLakia Shaffer