Sokofa Craft Series
Custom branded jute bags, gift totes and canvas art totes, cut and finished by hand by African artisans
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Fashion Accessories
A handmade brass cuff with a wide hammered disc at its centre and a single natural cowrie shell bound on with fine brass wire. The back is open, so it slips over the wrist and adjusts. Most cowrie jewellery threads a row of small shells onto cord. This sets one whole shell on a hammered brass disc, so the shell reads as a single deliberate focal point rather than a holiday souvenir, and the piece carries an outfit on its own without a second bracelet next to it. The frame is one length of round brass bent into a long teardrop, with the disc fixed where the two ends meet, about 3 inches across by the maker's own measure. The maker also describes the brass as recycled. There is no clasp and no sizing to choose: squeeze the opening gently to close the fit, or ease it wider. Brass darkens as it is worn. Bring the shine back with a soft cloth and keep it dry.
Sold by NICKÉ JEWELRY • Kenya
Fashion
A handwoven sisal basket tote from Kenya, banded in rust, tan and dark brown, with two natural leather shoulder straps and a flat oval base. The straps are cut long enough to sit on the shoulder, which is what separates this from the short handled market baskets most people picture. It carries hands free, over a coat, and the body stays soft rather than rigid, so it packs down around whatever you put in it: a towel and a book for the beach, or the week's shopping. Size 32cm wide by 32cm high, which is 12 by 12 inches. The measurement excludes the handles. Materials and construction Handwoven sisal with genuine leather handles. The sisal thread is dyed before weaving rather than painted on afterwards, so the colour bands run true through the fibre and will not rub off at the corners. The body is twined by hand over a vertical warp, one row at a time, and the base is worked as a flat oval so the bag stands up when you set it down. The interior is lined and fastens with a zip. Care Do not soak the bag in water. Wipe clean with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Store in a cool, dry place when not in use. Shipping Orders are sent by DHL Express or UPS, with a tracking number once your parcel is dispatched. Bags are flattened to fit the courier flyer, which keeps the shipping cost down and does the bag no harm, as sisal is resilient and regains its shape once unpacked. Custom orders The maker welcomes custom orders. If you would like a different size, colour or design, send a message through Sokofa and they will help.
Sold by KIKWETU MAASAI STORES • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
A set of three handmade Ankara tote bags in assorted African prints. Each bag measures about 39cm high, 35cm wide and 4cm deep, with black webbing straps fitted on metal clips, and each comes in a different wax print pattern, so the set covers shopping days, work bags and gifts in one go. They are sewn in Nsawam, Ghana by Ancient Culture, and the prints are chosen to celebrate the bold colour and creativity of African textile traditions. Lightweight and practical for everyday shopping, work, travel, cultural events and gifting. Because the set is assorted, the exact three patterns you receive may vary with available fabric, which makes every set unique.
Sold by Unite Root Africa • Ghana
Crafts
A handwoven sisal tote in two bands of cream and natural, with long tan leather shoulder straps, a printed cotton lining and a wooden button fastening. It is a real market basket rather than a basket shaped handbag, so it holds a laptop, a towel or a shop without losing its shape, and the straps are long enough to sit on the shoulder over a coat. The sisal is stiff enough to stand up on its own when you put it down, which is the difference between this and a soft straw bag. The lining is the part worth knowing about. Each bag is lined in printed cotton and the maker uses what she has, so no two linings are the same. The bag in the first photograph is lined with several different prints pieced together, navy with pink, gold and white figures. The bag in the second photograph has a single brown and gold print. Yours will be lined in a print of its own. The body is twined by hand from natural sisal fibre. The leather straps are riveted through the weave with copper rivets rather than stitched to a fabric tab, which is the join that usually fails on a basket bag. A wooden button on a leather cord fastens the top. It measures about 32cm wide and 32cm tall, excluding the handles. Bags are flattened for shipping to keep the parcel small. This does no harm, as sisal springs back into shape once it is unpacked. Do not soak the bag. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth and store it somewhere dry.
Sold by KIKWETU MAASAI STORES • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
A maroon canvas tote bag with a bold African print panel down the front. The body is a sturdy maroon canvas. A strip of multicoloured geometric print, in yellow, orange, red, pink and sky blue on black, runs from the top edge to the base, and the same print frames both bottom corners. Two black webbing straps carry it on the shoulder. There is room for your daily essentials, a laptop or the weekly market shop, and it measures 45 x 35 x 15 cm. The shape is plain and practical, and the single stripe of print is what makes it yours: it sits as easily with work clothes as with a weekend outfit. If you prefer texture, the same maker also makes crochet bags. Handmade in Kenya.
Sold by Majda'sStore • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
A one of a kind tote handmade in Kenya from upcycled denim, given a second life with vibrant Ankara print panels, a row of natural cowrie shells and soft brown animal hide (rua) detailing. Metal eyelets and a gathered denim ruffle finish the front, and the twin denim straps sit comfortably on the shoulder. Because it is built from a single reclaimed garment, only one exists, so no two buyers will ever carry the same bag. Roomy enough for daily essentials, a book, a purse and a phone. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and avoid soaking so the shells and hide stay intact.
Sold by Nimmosita • Kenya
African products
A handmade gold jewellery box built from wooden craft sticks and hard card, with a pearl and gold bead border and a crystal flower knob on the lid. At 30cm by 20cm it keeps rings, earrings and bracelets together and free of dust on a dressing table. The sides are rows of wooden craft sticks, the kind sold as lolly or popsicle sticks, set upright side by side so their rounded ends form a scalloped lower edge, then painted gold. The lid carries a gold finish and is edged with alternating white pearl beads and gold beads over a braided gold trim. A small jute bow with pearl beads sits at the centre of the front. Inside, the box is lined with a burgundy fabric patterned in gold, which you can see in the second photograph, and the rim is finished with a cream cord. Made by hand in Nigeria and joined with adhesive, it suits anyone who wants a dressing table piece that looks gilded rather than a plain storage tray, and makes an easy gift. Care: keep it dry and wipe it with a soft dry cloth. It is card and wood with glued trims, so never wash it, and lift it from underneath rather than by the knob.
Sold by Akbhandicraftventures • Nigeria
About the craft
A souvenir bag does more than carry the gift: it is the part people keep. Across Nigeria and West Africa, jute and cotton bags are the standard for wedding favours, conference packs and event giveaways, and the artisans on Sokofa make them the traditional way, by hand, with printing and finishing done in the same workshop.
This collection spans custom branded souvenir bags made to order with your own artwork, handcrafted jute gift totes, and canvas tote bags carrying original prints from working African artists. Because you buy directly from the workshop, bulk runs for weddings and corporate events are quoted by the maker, with no agency in between.
What to look for
Why Sokofa
Every vendor on Sokofa is personally verified. When you buy souvenir bags here, you buy directly from the artisan, with no middlemen and full transparency.
Common questions
Yes. The custom branded souvenir bags on Sokofa are made to order, and the artisan prints or embroiders your logo, event name or message on each bag. Use the notes at checkout or contact the seller through the product page to share your artwork and quantities.
Most pieces are natural jute or cotton canvas, cut and finished by hand. Jute is a strong plant fibre that holds its shape and takes print well, which makes it a favourite for wedding favours, conference packs and event giveaways. Canvas totes carry printed artwork from working African artists.
Yes. Souvenir bags are commonly ordered in bulk for weddings, church programmes, conferences and corporate events. Order quantities and lead times are set by the artisan on the product page, and larger runs are quoted directly by the seller.
All items ship internationally, with delivery times and costs confirmed at checkout. Returns are accepted for items that arrive damaged, wrong or not as described, reported within 48 hours of delivery. Customised pieces made with your artwork are otherwise made to order.
