Omba Arts new branding
Omba Arts Namibia is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has been supporting the sustainable livelihoods of hundreds of artisans and artists, living in rural communities in Namibia, for over 30 years. We develop and market some of Namibia’s most iconic handicrafts as well as San contemporary art.
Social enterprise
Omba Arts, a not-for-profit social enterprise founded more than 30 years ago, has made a difference to the lives of thousands of Namibians – artisans, artists and their families. We strive to promote and support sustainable livelihoods through craft development in rural communities in Namibia and have developed and marketed some of Namibia’s most iconic handicrafts as well as San contemporary art.
Harnessing local talents
Omba celebrates the wonderful cultural diversity of Namibia. We assist artisans to make a living through embracing and exploring their cultural heritage. All our products reflect traditional skills and ancient techniques merged with contemporary design suited to different markets.
Fair Trade
We believe that craft is a conduit for broader community development. A member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) since 2007, Omba’s fair trade practices, training and building of trusting relationships have developed skills and promoted resilience, social connectivity, hope and environmental awareness. And as importantly, we have facilitated sustainable livelihoods in communities where there are few opportunities for formal employment.
Partnerships
We partner other key non-governmental bodies in Namibia as well community-based organisations such as Conservancies. Omba is a member of NACSO – the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations.
Our Story
Home-grown
Omba Arts’ roots go back to the early 1990s when founding director, Karin le Roux started researching the development of the craft sector for a large NGO. Karin travelled to rural communities around Namibia providing training whilst developing relationships and networks that remain strong still today. These early years laid the foundation for an independent organisation that was to become Omba Arts Trust in 2004.
Impacts
Omba now supports more than 400 artisans and artists from nine regions in Namibia, 95% of whom are women and 60% San. The craft and contemporary art programmes with Ju/’hoan, Hai//om, !Kung and Khwe San groups in four regions have been recognised as a critical livelihood source for these very marginalised communities.
‘The times they are a-changing…’
How relevant singer/songwriter/Nobel literature-winner Bob Dylan’s words are today as they were in the 60’s when this song was a hit. In 2020 when Covid spread around the world, tourists stayed at home and sales stopped abruptly for Omba Arts Trust - we decided to seize the moment and make ‘a-change’.
Our name and original logo, Omba, conceived in 2004, represents the flat base of the Conus betulinus shell traded for centuries from the east coast of Africa to tribal groups living in the north-central and northwestern regions of Namibia. These beautiful objects, such iconic symbols of trade, are still worn today as body adornment and on leather belts. It seemed like a good fit, given that we buy and sell handicrafts from artisans in nine regions of Namibia.
But it’s now 2021 –
Time for a more contemporary feel to our brand and a brand-new website; one that is more product orientated, tells our stories, and includes an online gallery to introduce our enchanting art collections to a larger market.
So, with great excitement we are announcing the imminent change in our look!
On the 10 November 2021 we will be launching our new brand and website.
Thank you to our IT, web design and branding teams and our Omba staff for doing such a great job. Also, our thanks to the Namibian National Arts Council for making the funding available.
Karin le Roux, Director and all at Omba
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