Kusangalala Art & Textiles
One of a kind African quilts hand made in Zambia
Kusangalala Art & Textiles, located in the South Luangwa Valley in Zambia, creates hand-made quilts using colorful African wax print fabrics. Inspired by traditional African designs, original and unique quilts are produced using 100 percent cotton. The quilt tops are individually designed and machine pieced by founder Karyn Kraft and then hand quilted by the Ladies of the collective. The quilts' designs have been inspired by the traditional African Resist and Kuba cloths as well as the traditional designs of the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish and Gees Bend quilts. Products for home furnishings are also available in original African wax print fabrics.
Kusangalala Art & Textiles — which translates into “to be happy” in the local language of Nyanja — was founded in 2008 as a collective to provide sustainable employment and skills training for women in rural southern Africa. The “Ladies Collective” employs two women on a full–time basis. These women are the primary caregivers and supporters for several family members — many of whom suffer from extreme poverty and the effects of HIV/AIDS. As the 2010 Collection is designed and developed, additional women will be trained and employed.