Batik, or wax-resist fabric dyeing, is one of the world’s oldest art forms. The technique has been used in the Far East, Middle East, Central Asia and India for over 2000 years. To create batik fabrics, melted wax (usually a combination of beeswax and paraffin) is applied to fabric in a specific design or pattern.
Our Commitment: House of Talents seeks to empower the talented poor through the sale of high quality handmade artisan products. We are currently working with artisan groups in the West Africa region to promote self-development through economic and social advancement in rural communities and cities. House of Talents is making the following impact: We support
Evidence tells us that humans have been making and using baskets for as long as we can trace, making basket weaving one of the oldest art forms known. These ancient baskets were used for a variety of reasons, based primarily on the geographical needs of the weavers; those who lived near water created baskets to
Djembe Drums: A brief History The djembe is a skin-covered hand drum that is a traditional instrument of the people of West Africa. Typically made from goat skin stretched taut around a hand carved wooden drum, the djembe is capable of producing a wide array of sounds. From the high percussive slaps along the rim,
The shea nut tree is native to West Africa and is populous in northern Ghana. Its presence has helped conserve the fragile ecosystems in Africa’s semi-arid regions and has also become vital to the economy of some of the poorest areas of West Africa. The shea nut tree is an integral part of the lives
George – Drums The Drum MakersWe happened upon a soccer game of about twenty men. Next door, we located George at his work place in an uncompleted building. The soccer game was being played with great intensity, and as we also came to later find out, matched the intensity of the drum making atmosphere –
Dan – Iron & Glass You are struck by his quiet demeanor when you meet him, and you sense his patience as he takes every question with a smile. Meet Dan, who together with his assistants is transforming discarded glass and metal into beautiful pieces of functional art – their artistic contribution to cleaning of
Niendow – more than a soap maker Meet Niendow the soap maker (pronounced “NIN-doe”; his name means ‘one who returns’). We found his soap before we met him: Traveling to Northern Ghana, an area known for its shea butter, titanic termite mounds and veta vera baskets, we were handed Niendow’s soap by our hostess with
Once upon a long, time, she immigrated to Ghana from Hungary as a 20 year old bride with her Ghanaian husband. They settled in a small town in the Eastern region of Ghana, where her husband taught at a secondary school. While she did not speak the local dialect, Kati nevertheless ventured to the marketplace,
Joseph – Man on a mission How do you weave 25 baskets in a single day? Joseph knows. “We got the community together and told them of your desire to help us. Then we each wove our best basket so you will come back and order more. The community has a need and we are