Behind the Design: Woodcarving is a time-honored craft in Ghana with rich cultural significance. Historically, the Ashanti Kings’ sacred wooden stools, as well as symbolic warrior masks and other ornaments, were all handmade by Ghana’s talented wood carvers. The Ahwiaa Wood Carvers Association carries on this legacy by continuing the practice of traditional wood-carving today. The carvers source wood from designated areas in a nearby forest, after which the trees are re-planted. The artisans use cedar, tweneboa, mahogany, teak, and pawpaw wood to hand-carve detailed wooden objects—from ritual dolls, to masks, to stools—that showcase the beauty of the raw materials and are often accented with beads, cowrie shells, and brass inlays.
Details
hand-carved wooden tray
18" L x 10 1/2" W x 2" H
Impact
The artisan sector is the second largest employer in the developing world. Yet the majority of artisans are women who lack access to export markets, business skills, and the financial tools needed to run successful, global enterprises.
We are dedicated to changing that by investing 100% of our profits into education programs for the women who handcraft our products and youth in their communities. Since 2007, we've provided over 1,100 artisans and 250 young people in Rwanda & Ghana with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and consistent access to the global export market.
