
12/19/2022
Happy Holidays!
Mamaa Trade offers unique quality products from women's cooperatives in Africa and Asia to Canadian
Operating as usual
Happy Holidays!
Still looking for the perfect gift? Look no further ๐๐ฅฐ. Our gift basket has everything you need for caring for your skin: unrefined shea butter, healing baobab oil, moisturizing shea soap - all in a pretty and practical Bolga basket ๐๐๐. Price of products bought separately $85 but the basket is on sale for $60! Save $25 ๐ฅฐ!
You can also choose a green or pink basket if you prefer colour ๐.
Ships the following day from order or pick up from downtown Toronto.
Come and see our collection of ethical and sustainable products in downtown Toronto!๐๐ฅฐ Weโre open in December for visits but pls DM me first before coming. We have plenty of shea butter products, bolga baskets and kitenge products in stock ๐.
We are all influencers! ๐ I a democratic society we can influence by voting and being active in political parties. But we are also influencers in our workplaces, in different organizations, among friends and family, and as individual consumers. ๐๐ What kind of difference do you want to make?
The difference we want to make in Mamaa is a world of greater justice, solidarity and sustainability! ๐๐ Will you join us?
You can find us today The Peoples Church ๐๐๐
Explore fair trade shops featuring ethical and sustainable gifts for everyone on your list.
I quite excited that the long and dark November is over. ๐ December is one of my favourite months as I find the holiday time cosy and relaxing - and it is also my bday month ๐๐. But I have this feeling of having to finish with old projects before starting the new year - which makes it a very busy month ๐
. Do you have the same feeling?
โค๏ธ
Itโs snowing! โ๏ธโ๏ธ Clear sign that winter is here and Xmas is coming! ๐
Weโll be in various markets during the next week-ends. Come and meet us & fill Santaโs bag with ethical goods straight from the producers! โค๏ธ๐
Weโve restocked our Amazon store with fresh shea butter! ๐๐ Buy there or from our webshop at mamaa.ca - we are also shipping within 2 days. ๐๐
Make sure you use only unrefined shea butter as it contains good fatty acids and vitamins A, E and F which will be lost in refining process. Our butter is handmade with traditional methods, with wild harvested shea nuts, fully vegan and chemical free ๐ฟ๐. It is also fairly traded to give the producers fair pay for their hard work! โ๐ฝ๐๐
One can do nothing but to admire the courage and devotion of young Iranian women and men to stand against an oppressive regime. Let us hope their hope for freedom will come true ๐๐๐
What do you think of this new beauty? A big vase form basket named after itโs master weaver Akanima. The โAkanima vaseโ is now available in our webshop. Limited edition so hurry if you want this beauty to decorate your home ๐คฉ๐๐ฅฐ
Happy Diwali (if you are celebrating)!
I ๐ the meaning of this festival of light and hope. Eventually there will be victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance! ๐๐
I had a wonderful weekend outdoors ๐ฅฐโ๏ธ. Hope you did too!?
I tested out the string backpacks from our partner Kampala Disabled Initiatives for hiking๐๐. I use it all the time as gym bag but it proved to be very practical and pretty for hiking trips too!
Did you know that we have baskets not only from Ghana but also from Uganda!? ๐บ๐ฌ Our raffia baskets come from a group called โLadies with Abilitiesโ in Kikooba, Central Uganda. Their bowls come in different natural patterns and three sizes, and make perfect fruit baskets, gift baskets and decorations ๐ฅฐ๐.
Birth of a slipper by our partners Kampala Disabled Initiatives ๐
What is the change you want to make in the world?
Did you know that every purchase of our shea butter, baobab oil or black soap brings critically needed income to widows in Northern Ghana? For the benefit of the producers it is always better to have as few middlemen as possible between them and the final customers. In Mamaa, we are happy to guarantee a fair pay and ethical trading practices! ๐๐๐
Happy Thanksgiving! ๐งก๐งก๐งก
We are really thankful for our friends close and far! ๐ฅฐ
๐
After lifting heavy shea boxes all day long, there are times when you start to wonder whether Mamaa is really worth the backache ๐
.
But then you remember your partners in faraway places whose daily lives are much harder than yours and who are able to make their wishes come true due to your cooperation. ๐ And then it feels again worth the trouble. ๐ฅฐ๐
preneur
Have you already tried the magically moisturizing shea butter? Use our raw, unrefined shea butter just the way it is or make your own body butter or soaps. It is full of vitamins and useful fatty acids to nourish your skin ๐๐๐
Sustainably produced, ethically traded - good for you, good for the producers, good for the planet ๐
Our partner Kampala Disabled Initiatives has been working on some new designs ๐. How do you like these jackets, oven mitts and f***y bags? I โค๏ธ them. Need to order NOW ๐ฅฐ
But need your help too. In the second picture you see two different types of oven mitts/pan holders. Which one would you prefer?
***ybag
Iโm starting my 3rd year in OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) this Fall. Feel very privileged. ๐๐ So much responsibility put on schools and teachers nowadays. At the same time living in the world in an ethical and sustainable way is becoming more and more complex and challengingโฆ๐ค
On a rainy day like today, itโs always nice to daydream being back to Ghana ๐ฌ๐ญ๐. From my last trip I bought back some specialities like this Wave vase basket made with a special technique giving it extra volume and asymmetric shape. A real masterpiece! I have only one of these available so it is really unique! ๐คฉ Maybe a great design element for your home? ๐
Although Iโve been working with our shea ladies for some years now and know the excellent quality of their butter, it is always heartwarming to get positive feedback from our customers. โBest butter everโ, โIt has helped my daughterโs eczemaโ, โMy feet are softer than everโ are just some of the latest comments.๐ฅฐ
I believe the secret of our butter can be found in the traditional method of making it - leaving the butter unrefined which preserves all the excellent ingredients found in shea nuts. ๐๐๐
Unrefined shea butter contains good fatty acids and vitamins A, E and F. The women make it by hand with traditional methods, with wild harvested shea nuts ๐ฟ๐. It is also fairly traded to give the producers fair pay for their hard work! โ๐ฝ๐๐
Happy ๐๐
We still have some work to do to make the world ๐ more democratic. Or what do you think?
Posted โข Has democracy declined in recent years?
The Economist Democracy Index rates countries on the state of their governing system each year. In the latest installment published, 21 countries in the world were rated as โfull democraciesโ, including all Scandinavian countries, several Western European nations as well as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Uruguay, Mauritius, Costa Rica, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. France and Portugal went back to the 'flawed democracies' status in 2020 after having spent just one year in the highest section, and there they remained in 2021.
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Haiti were also demoted in the latest index, exiting the "hybrid regime" category and becoming authoritarian. The EIU stated that overall, democracy around the world hit an all-time low with the average score of countries sinking to 5.28 from 5.37 the previous year - an even larger drop than that recorded between 2019 and 2020. The countries rated most poorly were Afghanistan, Myanmar and North Korea.
As our second infographic shows, Northern Europe leads the way for democracy with Norway recording the highest score, 9.75. Finland joined its neighbor in third place with a score of 9.27 but it was New Zealand that was placed second with 9.37. The United States only managed a score of 7.85 which left it in 26th position.
After the Western military pull-out and subsequent Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the country is firmly at the bottom of the index. With a score of just 0.32, even North Korea is above it, while Myanmar, also not without its share of issues comes second last with a score of 1.02.
With shea butter you can make the most moisturizing soaps suitable for even the most sensitive skin ๐ฅฐ. And use your imagination when planning patterns and colours. ๐๐
Our Ukrainian flag ๐บ๐ฆ inspired shea soaps give you an opportunity to support Ukrainian internal refugees and use moisturizing shea soap at the same time ๐ฅฐ๐ - All proceedings from the sale of these soaps is donated to support displaced persons in Ukraine. Slava Ukraine! ๐๐
We have restocked our online shop and Amazon store with fresh shea butter from Susyโs cooperative! ๐คฉ๐ Their Grade A butter is perfect on your skin just as it is or for making quality beauty creams and soaps. Handmade by the widows of Kongo village in Northern Ghana ๐ฌ๐ญโค๏ธ๐๐
Find links to our online shop and our Amazon products from our bio.
And Iโm back in Toronto after a long holiday in Northern Europe.๐While I was away our basement filled with new baskets. What a fun homecoming to dig and find new pretty models ๐. Next days Iโll reveal some of them starting with these big colourful pots and round baskets. Love them โค๏ธ
NB! If you see any basket you like but canโt find it in our webshop, send me DM. It will take some time before I get everything onlineโฆ
Make your yoga sessions more colourful with yoga mat bags in kitenge fabrics ๐๐
Happy autumn everyone ๐๐๐
And it is back in stock! ๐๐๐คฉ
After long delays in shipping, the shea finally arrived in Toronto & thanks to my amazing helpers (๐๐๐๐๐) it is now back in stock in various quantities (500g, 1kg, 2kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg). The more you buy, the more economic it gets ๐). We are still in the process of restoring our Amazon storage but shea is available at www.mamaa.ca/shop.
Greetings from Finland ๐ซ๐ฎโ๏ธ! Iโm currently here on my summer vacation ๐. Love the fresh sea ๐ breeze and healthy diet ๐ฃ๐ฅฐ.
Good news for all the shea butter customers: the shipment is finally arriving next week ๐๐. Me being here means that my poor husband has to do all the heavy lifting to get it stored ๐ช๐ฎโ๐จ. Heโll need and deserves extra massage after all that ๐ฅฐ.
Weโll keep you posted on when the shea is back in store. Until then, enjoy your summer wherever you are! ๐
โMaybe you are tired of the news about the war, but the situation is serious. My everyday reality starts with a call to my family to make sure they are still alive. There is constant shelling around my home, as all over Ukraineโ. These words by Ukrainian illustrator Olga Shtonda were written on the fifth day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately, they are still true today, day 141 of the war. ๐ข๐
Olgaโs work can currently be seen on the streets of Tallinn, Estonia.
My heart goes out to all people suffering the direct impact of this senseless war. ๐ข
Our Bolga baskets are on SALE until Sunday! Donโt wait too long to get your favourite basket with reduced price ๐๐.
Shopping baskets, planters, place mats, interior baskets, pot baskets- everything you need! โ๏ธ๐
Today means different things to different people. For some it is a celebration of all that is good in Canada while for others it is a painful reminder of past atrocities towards indigenous people.
One of the best things about Canada is the opportunity for dialogue and education. When we learn about the past we can contribute to reconciling past injustices. ๐๐ This is a good day to reflect on these issues.
At the same time we need to give credit to our country for its present day solidarity towards people fleeing violence. Like the Ukrainian refugees who are welcomed with open arms. ๐บ๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ฆ
Fair trade Bolga baskets on sale! Shopping baskets, round baskets, interior baskets, fans, wall decorations - everything -15% until July 10, 2022. Made with elephant grass (veta vera) by women artisans in Northern Ghana.
Shop at out webshop at www.mamaa.ca/shop and use code SUMMER2022 at checkout.
Baskets SALE on NOW! ๐คฉ Choose uour favourite baskets at www.mamaa.ca/shop and use the vide SUMMER2022 at checkout to get 15% off! ๐๐
Jim Santi Owen (Producer) โข Kanya Matope (feat. Munzwo Mbira Ensemble & Salani Matshobe)
I wish all parents would think like this. ๐๐ฅฐ
The choice is ours whether we support big corporations or local, small enterprises. Whether we consume products made through exploitation and keeping people in poverty, or fair and sustainable trade relations that provide positive solutions out of poverty.
I hope weโll make the right choises for the sake of future generations ๐๐๐
148, Clinton Street
Toronto, ON
M6G2Y3
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Unrefined shea butter contains good fatty acids and vitamins A, E and F. Our butter is handmade with traditional methods, with wild harvested shea nuts, fully vegan and chemical free ๐ฟ๐. It is also fairly traded to give the producers fair pay for their hard work! โ๐ฝ๐๐ #africansheabutter #sustainablesmallbusiness #sheabodybutter #ethicalsourcing #earthfriendlyproducts #sheaproducts #sheabutterproducts #purchasewithpurpose #sheamoisture #naturalbeautyproducts #whippedsheabutter #shea #allnatural #sheabutter #fairtrade #organicbodycare #earthfriendlyproducts #ethicaltrade #sustainablesmallbusiness #ethicalconsumerism #greenproducts #sheabodybutter #howitsmadematters #africansheabutter #puresheabutter #sheabuttersoaps #sustainablebusinesses #allnaturalingredients
I had a wonderful weekend outdoors ๐ฅฐโ๏ธ. Hope you did too!? I tested out the string backpacks from our partner Kampala Disabled Initiatives for hiking๐๐. I use it all the time as gym bag but it proved to be very practical and pretty for hiking trips too! #hiking #stringbackbag #kitengebags #disabledtailors #niagaraparks
Fair trade Bolga baskets on sale! Shopping baskets, round baskets, interior baskets, fans, wall decorations - everything -15% until July 10, 2022. Made with elephant grass (veta vera) by women artisans in Northern Ghana. Shop at out webshop at www.mamaa.ca/shop and use code SUMMER2022 at checkout.
Itโs today! #standupforukraine Check out the artists performing ๐๐๐ Posted @withregram โข @glblctzn Weโre calling on world leaders around the globe to mobilize humanitarian aid for refugees everywhere โ but we need your support. Join us THIS FRIDAY for a social media rally alongside dozens of artists, entertainers, athletes, and other advocates using their voices to #StandUpForUkraine and call for an urgent increase in funding for refugees in Ukraine and all over the world. World leaders are convening for a pledging summit on April 9, and we need them to secure BILLIONS โ not just millions โ of dollars to support civilians impacted by Russiaโs invasion and fill the already *catastrophic* funding gap for victims of conflict and crisis across all continents. Check outย ForUkraine.comย to find out how you can join us on Friday and help us demand action from world leaders.
It is always pure joy to meet our basket weavers! ๐คฉEspecially after a long pause due to Covid-19. Happy to be able to spend some days with the ladies helping (in my limited capacity) to make the baskets ready for shipment to Canada ๐จ๐ฆ. While working I get to hear their life stories. Life has not been easy for these ladies as they struggle to make ends meet for their families but still they love to laugh, joke, sing and dance. ๐ They are inviting all basket loving customers to visit them in Ghana ๐ฌ๐ญ. Zaare! = welcome! ๐๐ #bolgabaskets #basketweavers #fairtradebasketsfromafrica #reunion #socialenterprise
Special greetings from our basket weavers in Ghana to you all! ๐๐ They have a great tradition of singing and dancing together which helps to wrap up last yearโs ups and downs and make wishes for the year to come. May it be healthy and prosperous for you all! ๐๐ฅฐ๐ฅณโ๏ธ #happynewyear2022
Only good and energetic vibes for the weekend from my favourite singer!!! ๐ฅฐ๐๐๐ Posted @withregram โข @angeliquekidjo ๐๐ฟSATURDAY NIGHT FEVER๐๐ฟ #mothernature ๐ฅ: @gregorylouis971 ๐น: @vatonthierry ๐ช: @david_donatien ๐ธ: @justwody ๐: @maryjanemarcasiano ๐: @audioprocess #angeliquekidjo #saturdaynight #saturdaynightfever #africandancing #goodvibesonly
Imagine all the people having their human rights respected? โYou may say Iโm a dreamer but Iโm not the only oneโ. ๐โ๏ธ Todayโs the international human rights day! ๐๐๐ช๐๐ to all the dreamers and human rights defenders in the world ๐! ๐๐๐ Posted @withregram โข @unesco "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world... ...Imagine all the people, living life in peace..." Today we pay tribute to a dreamer, a dreamer whose dreams we are working to make come true. Let's imagine. Let's dream. Let's build peace... today and every day. This our hommage to John Lennon, who died on this day in 1980. His dream of peace is still alive and we will make it come true. Will you help us? Photo: ยฉ๏ธ @vedran_misic #JohnLennon #Peace #Imagine #UNESCO
Some positive Friday vibes for everyone!!! ๐คฉ๐Donโt forget to move yourself this weekend! ๐๐พโน๏ธโโ๏ธ๐ง๐ฝโโ๏ธ Posted @withregram โข @masakakidsafricana Joy of togetherness๐๐ฟ #100M ๐๐๐ฅ @masakakidsafricana @karinapalma @mamy_ayshaaaa Thanks Everyone who ever watched or shared this video โค๏ธ๐๐ฟ God is greatest ๐ - ๐ต Joy of togetherness @masakakidsafricana - #masakakidsafricana #joyoftogetherness #youtube #100million #danceriseandshine #100millionviews
The last clip to show you how our unrefined, raw, ๐ฏ natural shea butter is made from start to finish! ๐ Hard work and skills by the women in Nagbok Nongtaab Shea Cooperative in rural village in Northern ๐ฌ๐ญ! Made with ๐ for you! #sheabutter #shea #karite #sheavoi #sheabutterproducts #handmadewithlove #rurallife #empoweringwomen #womeninbusiness #naturalbeauty #africanbeauty #moisturizer #whippedshea #sheasoap
The process of making shea butter by the local women in our partner cooperative in Northern ๐ฌ๐ญ has proceeded to the fascinating part where the oil starts to separate from the nut paste through kneading. ๐คฉ The women are doing this by hand - itโs a long process that requires a lot of strength and skill. ๐ช๐ฝ๐๐๐ฝ #makingsheabutter #rawsheabutter #unrefinedsheabutter #sheacooperative #ghanashea #handmade #traditional #empoweringwomen #localskills #womensgold #moisturiser
And the tedious process of making top notch shea butter continues ๐๐. Did you know that the butter gets its somewhat smoky scent from the roasting of the nuts? #shea #sheabutter #karite #unrefinedsheabutter #handmade #traditionalshea #fairtradeshea #ethicaltrade #sheamoisture #makingsheabutter #beurredekarite #sheavoi #sheabutterproduction
We are eagerly waiting for our new raw shea shipment ๐ ๐ข! The latest info is that it has finally arrived but has to go through an extra customs inspectionโฆ๐คทโโ๏ธ In the meantime it is good to remind ourselves how much work and effort goes into making unrefined traditional shea butter ๐๐. The whole process does not fit to 15 seconds but more clips will follow ๐๐ #sheabutter #makingsheabutter #unrefinedsheabutter #handmadewithlove #traditionalsheabutter #sheamoisture
Positive weekend vibes from our friends in Uganda ๐บ๐ฌ! ๐๐๐๐ Posted @withregram โข @masakakidsafricana Weekend Energy @masakakidsafricana ๐ ๐งก Happy weekend fam ๐ - WATCH FULL VIDEO LINK IN BIO ๐ฝ๏ธ - ๐ถ Song by @princemr.masaka @masakakidsafricana Titled: Mood ๐ต - #mood #masakakidsafricana #danceriseandshine #masakakids #princemrmasaka #mrmasaka #moodmasakakidsafricana
The numbers of Covid-19 cases are going down ๐๐๐ but masks ๐ท are still necessary! And they can also be fun and pretty! ๐๐คฉ๐ Check out these masks from Olivia and her team of disabled tailors in Kampala ๐บ๐ฌ! They also make handy masks with a string that you can carry around your neck. Now a bundle of three funky masks only $20! #masks #masksforsale #kitengemasks #fabricmasks #prettymasks #facemasks #fabricfacemask #usemask #maskssavelives #fairtrademasks #disabledtailors
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