African Home & Travel Journal | Blog by Expedition Subsahara

The Magic Is In the Cowrie Shell

If you’ve ever been to a country in Africa, you’ve probably seen women wearing jewelry made of cowrie shells. The small white shell looks porcelain. It’s strong and du...

New Flat Woven Platters

Autumn is finally in the air in St. Louis! We love this season — from the leaves turning crisp and falling from the trees, to cooling temperatures and cooking/baking t...

A Brief History of African Textiles: Wax Print

Two years into running Expedition Subsahara, I have learned an incredible amount about African textiles, sourcing and origins. One thing I was surprised — or actually...

Is Confidence Cultural?

A few months ago, I was invited to be a part of Lark Skin Co.’s Campaign for Confidence. It was a really cool experience that allowed me to connect with women from al...

Authentic African Beadwork

Africa is a continent known for its beautiful, elaborate beadwork, particularly in jewelry, but the intricate practice also is put to use in creating home decor and t...

A Brief History of African Mud Cloth Fabric

We get a lot of questions about the African textiles that are used for our goods. In Africa, the cloths and woven fabrics used for living are as traditional as basket...

Three ways to add a woven touch to your bedroom

Forget the brown and grey wicker baskets of the past. We think that baskets should be a bold, colorful solution to your life’s clutter. Baskets shouldn't only be cont...

The "Poor African" Narrative

I’ve been asked over and over why I don’t show the faces of the artisans who make Expedition Subsahara products. For me, the reason is deeply personal, but I've decide...

A Life Full Of "Teranga"

There are some words in Wolof, my native language, that don’t easily translate to English. “Teranga” is one of those words. Translated, teranga means “hospitality,” bu...

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