THE JOURNEY OF YOUR GRASS JEWELRY
The art of braiding jewelry is passed down from generation to generation, a tradition of the Bètammaribè community. We would like to take you on the journey of your #braidedtreasures. On a journey from a blade of grass to your hands. That's why we warmly welcome you to this blog post, which will give you a deep insight into the fascinating world of grass harvesting and jewelry making in northern Benin.
And so begins the journey of the grass from the fields of West Africa into the hands of the talented women of the Bètammaribè:
In northern Benin, the rainy season is a time of awakening. The dry land is covered in lush green, and the grass flourishes in all its glory. Now the grass harvest also begins.
The women collect the fresh grass from the fields. With skilled movements, the blades are cut, and with watchful eyes, care is taken to ensure that only the best is harvested. After harvesting, the grass is spread out on the roofs of the Sitchin (Tata Sombas) and carefully dried.
The next step leads us to the vibrant colors of the jewelry. For the traditional dye bath, the millet stalks are dried, ground, and boiled. This creates rich red tones and deep black. The grasses are then dyed and further processed.
Our Nature Line was dyed using precisely this process. In our Colored Line, there are also bracelets that are dyed with the dyes from Benin's markets. Here, the color palette is dazzling and endless!
After the braided grass has been carefully dried and soaked in vibrant colors, the actual processing begins. Under the skilled hands of talented women, the individual blades of grass are transformed into unique bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. This process requires patience and precision, as the women work the grass into intricate patterns using various braiding techniques.
The braiding technique varies depending on the piece of jewelry, and each craftswoman brings her individual touch to the design. From simple patterns to complex braiding work, pieces of jewelry are created that not only look good but also reflect the rich traditions of the region.
In Germany, some of the crafted jewelry is refined with recycled silver clasps and waits in our warehouse to be purchased by you. If this is the case, the jewelry pieces are carefully packaged and make their way to you, their future owners. We ship our jewelry in sustainable, grass-based packaging and use the environmentally friendly DHL GoGreen service as our standard shipping option.
We have opted against the fast fashion trend. In contrast to fast-paced fashion, we consciously refrain from sales or discount promotions.
The decision to offer our jewelry without sales allows us to continuously support the women who master this craft, as well as social institutions in the city. Each piece, from the braided strand to the finished item, remains timeless. Every purchase not only contributes to your own style but also supports positive changes in the communities that are part of our journey.
As already mentioned, the proceeds from the sale of the jewelry collection go not only to the women who create these elaborate pieces but also to social projects in Natitingou.
The journey of this grass is more than a physical transfer from one place to another; it is a journey from hand to hand, from heart to heart.
Our mission is not only to offer stylish accessories but also to bring about positive changes in the communities where we operate.
We want to help people build a better future by fostering their talents and enriching the world with beautiful, fair, and natural products.
Those who choose our jewelry are not only choosing a piece of jewelry but also a sustainable path and supporting others!
We thank you, dear customers, for your support and your decision to be part of this sustainable connection.
