Alex Boakye

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I was born in Bonwire, a village in the Ashanti Kingdom renowned for kente weaving and thus my father, who was a master weaver, taught me when I was a young boy. I was actually like my father's pet, and for that reason I spent most of my childhood days by his side. By the time I finished basic education, I had become a weaver in my own right.

Now I have my own workshop and I work along five master weavers. A kente weave includes the blend of five colorful yarns, be it silk, cotton or rayon. We stretch them across a shuttle box to form the base of the kente stole. The finished piece is combined with plain black cotton or polyester material to sew the bags.

"I am motivated to create new designs whilst I sit quietly and listen to traditional African music. I am inspired by the desire to see my homeland emancipate from economic woes, hoping people around the world appreciate the beautiful things that come from Africa.

"The main challenge to my work has been my desire and ability to create something unique. I have taught several people the craft, and now some of them have their own studios. I have also participated in fair like the Ghana International trade fair, Sitho, Burkina Faso, and the Kentefest to commemorate Ghana's Golden Jubilee celebrations."

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NOVICA was started with a dream to create a better world for artisans, because a better world for artisans is a better world for all.

Along the way, the founders of NOVICA discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.

Your purchases are that powerful. They directly and indirectly provide for education, help with health care, fund basic needs, support children, preserve disappearing arts, and of course, spread happiness around the world.

The founders of NOVICA had a vision of the future that is not one of mega factories producing cookie cutter products for all to cheaply consume. Instead, a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become driving force.

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