Our Philosophy

Philosophy:— a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.

Our principle aim in setting up OutOfAfrica.ie was to bring beautiful, interesting, unique, handmade, quality products produced in African countries by local artisans to Irish people who value real products made by real people. So an obvious first response to this bold statement is Why? And that is not, actually, an easy question to answer. For a start, there are two of us involved. So not just one big Why? for a start. For, in truth, of course, there are many many little why?s. And, the why?s change, little by little, over time.

But our purpose, as outlined in the first statement above, has never really changed. It has evolved. And our focus has become clearer and sharper as we have developed the business. But the core principle has never really changed at all. At the same time, however, we have developed a set of clear guidelines that govern all aspects of our business practices.

Trade Not Aid

We are a business and we want our business to be successful - as that will allow us to keep going. But we are only prepared to sell products if we believe that the people making those products are getting a fair price for them in the first place. We want to support real people making real products. And the more the products these people produce are promoted around the world, the more they will be able to support themselves, their families and their communities, and to pass on the knowledge and skills to future generations.

Only Handcrafted

There is something special about a thing that is handmade. Somehow, we sense the deeper traditions involved - the craft of the spinner, the weaver, the carver, the potter, the painter, the fiddler. All of the products we sell are made by hand in various Africa countries by men and women working in their homes, or in small workshops, or shared village spaces, and even, sometimes in refugee camps. Sometimes western designers have teamed up with local artisans to develop designs more suited to affluent western sensibilities while still maintaining the traditional skills, techniques and craftsmanship.

In some cases, the skills have been passed from generation to generation for at least a thousand years, maybe much longer, and become deeply culturally significant.The wonderful Malian mudcloth, also called Bogolan and Bògòlanfini is an example of this. When we can source a reliable supply of this beautiful textile we will be adding it to our site.

If we ever allow the hand crafting techniques to die out and to be replaced by machine-made copies the true human soul of the things we use will be lost for ever. Don't let it happen! — here in Ireland just as much as anywhere else!

Sustainability

You can argue 'til Doomsday itself about whether it's five to twelve on the Doomsday Clock, or whether we're already down to the last minute. It doesn't matter any more. The fact remains that, apart from sunshine and saltwater, almost everything we take for granted on this world is finite. So it would be plain stupid of us if we purchased products from people who, deliberately or accidentally, were destroying their own environment – Easter Island style – in the production of those very products. All our suppliers are very conscious of the importance of sustainability.

Environmental Awareness

All our producers care deeply about their environment. Plants are grown and harvested locally - sisal, banana bark, elephant and many other grasses; only African cotton is used; eri rather than mulberry silk is farmed as it thrives on local plants rather than on imported mulberry bushes. Recycled glass is turned into beautiful kitchen jars and unique and eye-catching chandeliers. And on the few occasions that plastic is used, it is always as a repurposed or recycled material. Dyes - where possible - are natural, made with colours extracted from vegetables, flowers, and occassionally insects. The synthetic dyes that are used are water-based, non-hazardous, and non-toxic, making them safe for people and the environment (and mean that the products can be washed in low temperatures in washing machines, which is the main reason synthetic dyes are used in the first place. How many of us Western consumers would buy table linen or cushion covers, for example, that could only be washed by hand in cold water?)

Ethical Sourcing - Fairtrade

All of our suppliers go beyond Fair Trade, providing a regular and fair income and are committed to the development and empowerment of the people who work for them. By buying from them we are helping to support hundreds of people to support themselves, their families, their communities, and future generations. Please see our Our Suppliers page for more detailed information, basic motivations and principles.