The End of an Era .............. and A New Beginning

 

We are leaving our Armadale store in Melbourne after many years.

The website is temporarily on hold, and will be back in action in the New Year.

 

Many new products will be available, as well as many favourites.

 

Please look out for them.

 

Our contact details will also change, and will appear on the refreshed site.

 

A heartfelt 'Thank you' to our many loyal customers, who have supported us so well.

 

Don't despair - 'We'll be back!'

How to Paint a Tonga Drum

Here is a drum from northern Zimbabwe being decorated in the traditional patterns and colours.

Everyone gathers round to lend a hand to mix the red oxide, charcoal and white clay, which are the hallmarks of the Tonga drum.

The logs to the left are going to be used shortly, to build a new house. The pointed ends will be driven into the ground to form walls.

The Zambezi river flows along in the valley behind the house. It is the village water supply.

This is a marvelous illustration of African self-sufficiency, which is entirely unavailable in Western urban culture.

An Ancient, Modern, Concept from Africa

 This is an excellent example of the Art of the Sculptors of West Africa.

It is a mask of the Guro people, carved from wood, with a polychrome finish.

The entire piece is carved from a single wood billet, spectacularly demonstrating the maker's skill.

It depicts the position of the human species within the Creation.

The face is surrounded by animal features, signifying the dependence of people on the creatures around them.

The bird at the top, usually a Hornbill, represents the creatures of the air. 

The Antelope horns show the presence of the creatures of the bush or forest, and the serrations below show the jaws of the crocodile: a creature of the water.

The message is that each depends on the others for existence and survival.

What is done to one, affects all.

Fabulous Female Figurines .......

This wonderful Figurine, complete with Bead & Seashell Couture, comes to us from the Cameroun in West Africa.

The Woodcarving and Finery are an inspired expression of Contemporary African Art.

The Extrovert in the African Character is beautifully captured here.

This piece and several others will appear on our Website shortly.

To see more, go to -

 http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6

Just Arrived at Just Africa .......



Wonderful Needlework Embroidered Cushions

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=31&page=2

African Designed Cushions

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=31

Animated Throws & Table Runners

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=34

Please visit our High Street Armadale store when you are in Melbourne, for a friendly, knowledgeable welcome.

http://www.justafrica.com.au/getting-here.asp

FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT ENDS ON MAY 19

Still a fews days to go until the end of Fair Trade Fortnight.

It's a reminder to everyone to buy Fair Trade products.

Not just food or hand-crafts, but clothing, decor and more.

And not just this fortnight, but every day.

Next time you shop -

• Ask where the products are made
• Ask who gets the momey.
• Ask how much they are paid.

It may be no big deal in the shop, but it's a very big deal in parts of the world, where people do not have a voice.

 

May 12 is Mothers' Day - Part lll

Here is a wonderful example of a doll of the Ashante from Ghana, known as "Aku'aba".

There are many variations of this doll, both in size and appearance. However, all incorporate the disc-shaped head.

Many examples also display a post-like body, neck rings and attenuated arms.

The Ashante society is matrilineal, so succession is through the female line of the family. Surely a cause for Mothers' Day celebration.

Here is a selection -

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6

Love that FairTrade Chocolate

If you enjoy your Cocoa or Chocolate, you'll get far more enjoyment when you buy FairTrade products, because you will know that the Producer is getting a better deal.

FairTrade enables smaller growers to reap greater benefits from their crops by being paid properly.

It provides them with greater security, and an incentive for the future, to keep their livelihoods and prosper.

Here is a magnificent carved wood panel, over a metre in width. It comes from Ghana, West Africa, and shows the many processes of the Cocoa harvest in full swing.

Just Africa is committed to FairTrade principles.