The African Décor Edit

The African Décor Edit: Collecting and Decorating with Heritage Objects by Nasozi Kakembo is an armchair tour of nine African countries and the stories of sixteen traditional artisans. From the exquisite cover to the silky pages of gloss paper used to display the high quality photographs of the artisans’ crafts and the impeccably styled homes décor, this is a book you will want to savor and display. It reminds us that our homes and lives are full of traditions handed down through generations.

The reader meets each artisan in their workplace and community. What was the original purpose of the Bolga baskets from Ghana, the Senufo stools from Côte D’Ivoire, the Dorze weavings of Ethiopia, and the Bamum shield from Cameroon? The stories of the artisan, the original purpose of the object, and its use in today’s African décor are inspirational.

Here is one example. Fine crafted Moroccan leather poufs are a well-established staple of African décor and would accent your living room as a hassock or a spare seat for guests. Leathersmithing is a male-dominated profession in Morocco, yet Souad El Bahiz had to take over the family business when her husband fell severely ill. She and another female embroidery artisan joined to form a cooperative, trained thirty apprentices, and formed a partnership with the government for girls who have dropped out of school to learn leathermaking. Souad credits her older deaf and mute brother as an inspiration to succeed. He works with his sister, and she trains other members of the deaf and mute community. Souad is a well-respected businesswoman who travels all over Europe with her leather goods as a representative of her country.

An important section of the book is the Ethical Sourcing Guide. Kakembo reminds us that many of us have become more mindful consumers since the pandemic, along with the trend toward responsible purchases. As a traveler, I will only purchase an item made in that country, and at home I support the Fair Trade Labeling Organization for global purchases. This practice supports the local economy and equitable terms of trade for workers. The author introduces the terms “ethical shopping” and “cultural appropriation” specifically for African artifacts, but it will serve as a guide for respecting the origin, heritage, and artisan of any fine craft, from handcrafted pottery from Oregon to hand-quilted bedcovers from Pennsylvania. Her guide details how to consider origin, maker, seller, and marketing, which results in knowing and respecting the true origins of an object you bring into your home.

Kakembo continues this armchair journey with a “passport” to African Décor at Home. As you peruse the gorgeous high color photos of ten homes in locations around the world, you will be inspired to add an authentic piece sold by African artisans, designers, or resellers. She suggests switching out a mass-produced or uninspiring item for a handcrafted African one as an easy way to start. Her first suggestion is a basket; you can never have enough. I’ve already started. My Ghanian son-in-law has inspired me to add functional items to my own home. I keep my scarves in a multi-colored Bolga basket that I purchased from the artisans’ reseller at a street fair in Savannah ten years ago. We keep our fruit in a hand-carved wooden bowl, a gift from one of his trips to Ghana. Now, I’ll be looking for Moroccan Poufs like the ones on page 162 for extra seating in our family room. Textile hand towels from Mali and accent pillows from Ethiopia are two of many items that you can consider to add a bit of African décor to your home. “African designs are beautiful and vibrant, so it’s a great way to introduce colors and patterns in your space.”

How do we learn to understand the things we have in common? By sharing cultural traditions, foods, and art, and by stories handed down through generations. The African Décor Edit is more than a guide for home décor. Kakembo uses iconic home goods to educate the reader of the original use of the item and encourages us to become ethical shoppers. Her stories of the artisans respect their traditions and skills handed down by generations as she inspires us to treasure our own culture and heritage. Highly recommended.