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Bold Colors
Grey Ghanaian Cotton Patchwork 2-Layer Ear Loop Face Mask
Bold Colors, Grey Ghanaian Cotton Patchwork 2-Layer Ear Loop Face Mask
Nana Abena Afriyie Darko
Grey predominates in a face mask by Nana Abena Afriyie Darko. But she centers it with a patchwork of colorful West African prints. Contoured for comfort and fit, her design has two layers of cotton... read more$12.99$11.69Artist: Nana Abena Afriyie Darko
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Progress
Multicolor Stripe African Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Progress, Multicolor Stripe African Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Princess
Hand Loomed African Kente Scarf in Pink (6 Inch Width)
Princess, Hand Loomed African Kente Scarf in Pink (6 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Prince
Multicolored Kente Cloth Scarf Made in Ghana (9 Inch Width)
Prince, Multicolored Kente Cloth Scarf Made in Ghana (9 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$94.99$85.49Artist: Rachel Armah
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Asomdwe Hene
Bold Orange and Ivory Kente Scarf from Ghana (14 Inch Width)
Asomdwe Hene, Bold Orange and Ivory Kente Scarf from Ghana (14 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$139.99$125.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Obaahema
Colorful Cotton Blend African Kente Scarf (16 Inch Width)
Obaahema, Colorful Cotton Blend African Kente Scarf (16 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$144.99$130.49Artist: Rachel Armah
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Faith
Handmade Pink Cream and Blue African Kente Scarf
Faith, Handmade Pink Cream and Blue African Kente Scarf
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente is woven by hand in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$149.99$134.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Courageous Colors
Ghanaian Cotton Patchwork 2-Layer Tie on Face Mask
Courageous Colors, Ghanaian Cotton Patchwork 2-Layer Tie on Face Mask
Nana Abena Afriyie Darko
By Nana Abena Afriyie Darko, this colorful patchwork face mask is contoured for comfort and fit. Crafted of colorful West African prints in grey, yellow, mustard and red, it has two layers of cotton... read more$12.99$11.69Artist: Nana Abena Afriyie Darko
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Winner
Multicolored Cotton and Rayon Kente Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Winner, Multicolored Cotton and Rayon Kente Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$47.99$43.19Artist: Rachel Armah
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Ahoufe
Colorful Handwoven African Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Ahoufe, Colorful Handwoven African Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Asomdwe Hene
Orange and Ivory African Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)
Asomdwe Hene, Orange and Ivory African Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Prince
Traditional Handmade African Kente Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Prince, Traditional Handmade African Kente Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Obaahema
Hand Woven Multicolor Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Obaahema, Hand Woven Multicolor Kente Cloth Scarf (4 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Nyiraba
Narrow Purple and Green Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)
Nyiraba, Narrow Purple and Green Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$49.99$44.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Progress
Handmade Kente Scarf from Ghana Artisan (12 Inch Width)
Progress, Handmade Kente Scarf from Ghana Artisan (12 Inch Width)
Rachel Armah
Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means... read more$139.99$125.99Artist: Rachel Armah
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Let's Give Thanks
2 Applique African Print Face Masks 1 Ties/1 Ear Loops
Let's Give Thanks, 2 Applique African Print Face Masks 1 Ties/1 Ear Loops
Jane Mbilla
Solid black fabric meets colorful African prints in face masks by Jane Mbilla. The Ghanaian designer adds elastic ear loops to the pink and teal mask, and cloth ties to the cream, yellow and burgundy... read more$19.99$17.99Artist: Jane Mbilla
Women's Patchwork Accessories
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The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


Hand-washing and dry cleaning are the most common ways to care for and clean shawls. Many of our alpaca shawls specifically indicate dry-cleaning or hand-washing with cold water. Because shawls are delicate, a garment bag is a good way to prevent damage. Avoid direct sunlight and high heat. As always, it is important to follow the care instructions specific to the fabric of your shawl.


The great thing about shawls is that they are versatile. One can find a shawl for every season. Warmth is often based on the tightness of the weave and the type of material used. Alpaca fiber is known for its thermal capacity and provides an optimal degree of warmth. Sheep wool also acts as an insulator, absorbing moisture and creating a feeling of coziness for the wearer. Shawls made of cashmere and pashmina are light and thin, yet still provide a high degree of warmth. In Mexico, shawls made from San Juan Chamula sheep keep one warm and comfortable.


Comfort is always a question of preference, but certain fabrics lend themselves to softness and warmth. Shawls from the Andes are made from super soft alpaca fibers, and provide wearers a high level of comfort. Similarly, in Thailand and Bali, silk shawls are always favorites. Depending on ones climate, particular shawls may be preferable. Central American shawls made from cotton and rayon keep wearers cool in warm climates, whereas bamboo and acrylic shawls are great for cold weather. During hot summers, Indian shawls made of modal, silk, and viscose are a perfect option, and merino wool and cashmere are ideal for winter. West Africa stands by the luxurious comfort of their 100% cotton shawls, and Mexico prioritizes comfort with their beautiful wool designs.


It depends on what you mean by handmade. We support artisans who work in the ancient traditions of their ancestors, crafting items by hand, with patience and love. But techniques vary among shawl makers. Embroidery, hand-painting, stitching, and sewing are often part of the process. Some artisans do use power looms when crafting their shawls, but even in those instances, there is no mega-factory or mass production line behind the garment. The beauty, creativity, and inspiration for each shawl comes from the artists own heart. Our product descriptions will always specify if an item is hand-woven, hand-knit, or otherwise.


The shawl comes to us full of history, culture, and heritage. Each region invests its shawls with different symbols, patterns, and designs. Some shawls, like those in West Africa and the Andes, feature linear and geometric shapes, clean lines and patterns that have been passed down through the centuries. In Bali, we find elaborate batik designs, a technique that makes use of alternating dye and wax to block color. In Central America, embroidered and woven shawls incorporate designs inspired by corn, butterflies, and birds. Floral patterns are very popular in Indian shawls, particularly in pashminas from Kashmir. Gujarati shawls often depict geometric shapes, and artisans increasingly incorporate contemporary designs through hand-painted fabric. Thailand also integrates floral patterning, often using the yok dok technique, a brocade style that leaves the fabric slightly raised. This emphasis on brocade is also evident in Mexican shawls, with lavish designs in the form of frets, flowers and geometric figures, all inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures.


Fibers, dyes, and fabrics come together in innovative, unique ways during the creation of a shawl. Different regions rely on resources that are readily available and have cultural significance. In West Africa, 100% cotton and rayon frequently make their appearances in shawls. In Bali and Thailand, soft silk lends a luxuriousness to the shawl. Central American artisans incorporate bamboo rayon, while India makes use of wool and silk. Mexico boasts an array of vibrant natural and cotton yarn dyes, and artisans from the Andes weave shawls out of soft alpaca fiber.


Throughout the world, the shawl is considered a venerated garment, made by hand from techniques passed down through generations. The methods for making traditional shawls vary as widely as the regions from which they come. But most employ some method of hand knitting or weaving on a loom. In the Andes, for example, crocheting and flat weaving on a treadle loom are common techniques. In Central America, backstrap and foot looms are popular with artisans. In Bali, one finds intricate sewing, in addition to weaving. And in India and Thailand, practices of hand-painting fabric, batik, and the use of natural dyes are intimately tied to the creation of shawls.
Featured Artist





Rachel Armah Beaded jewelry
"I am a single mother of two daughters and due to the hardships I have faced as a single mother, I have done all I can to support my girls through petty trading and teaching."