VirtuArte.com

In one of my very early posts I indicated I was going to introduce you to people and organizations I had met who are working with artists and artisans from the developing world to develop their craftsmanship and assist in bringing their products to international markets. Now I have the opportunity to introduce you to one of the artists. In early February I will be hosting an event for Elhadji Koumama, designer and craftsman of Tuareg silver jewelry.

Skilled Craftsmen

The Koumama Family from Agadez, Niger was nomads until the 1970s. They belong to a subclass of Tuareg called inadan, people who work with fire and metals -- blacksmiths. The family was led by Mohamed Koumama, one of the most famous Tuareg silversmiths, until his death in 2004. He trained his sons, grandsons and extended family in the craft as his forefathers did for over a thousand years. Mohamed Koumama's work has been displayed in the National Museum in Niamey since Niger's independence from France in 1960.

The family is known worldwide for creating unique, high quality sterling silver jewelry using the traditional hand tools and methods that have been used by Tuareg craftsmen for centuries. In the Tuareg culture only men and boys work with fire and metals. Although "born into the trade" Koumama men serve extensive apprenticeships under the watchful eyes and guidance of older and more experienced family members. They begin by making the simplest designs and only after years of painstaking effort do they begin to make jewelry deemed suitable for sale under the Koumama name.

The Family Patriarch

Elhadji, the ninth child of Mohamed Koumama, is now the family patriarch. With the family having abandoned the nomadic lifestyle and settling in Agadez due to a 1970s drought, Elhadji was the first to attend school and is fluent in five languages. Although he now devotes much of his time to developing and broadening the business, Elhadji never ventures far from his jewelry making roots. When at home in Niamey, he makes time to continue honing his skills by making a variety of pieces. His goal is to grow the business to provide full-time jobs for the men of the huge extended Koumama family.

Coming to Washington, DC

At the end of this month and early next month Elhadji Koumama will be visiting the east coast of the United States. So if you are in the Washington, DC area please come and Meet the Artist.....

Elhadji Koumama

Koumama Family of Niger

Sunday, 8th of February 2009

529 Fourth Street, SE

Washington, DC 20003

 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Not only will you have the opportunity to meet and talk to Elhadji, you will also be able to see and purchase the beautifully handcrafted Tuareg jewelry made by the Koumama Family.

This is the first Meet the Artist event I am hosting and I do hope you will be able to join us. If you cannot make this one, I plan to have others in the future. Such events will be announced here on the blog, so subscribe to receive e-mail updates.