Ibu Movement: An Artisan Revolution

The word ‘Ibu’ is a Malay word meaning woman of respect, so it is no surprise that Ibu Movement reflects a world of artisanal power - threaded, stitched, beaded power - made visible, made valuable, by women across the globe.

Agbada with Aso Oke Midi Dress. Handcrafted in Nigeria for Ibu Movement.

In a world where “handmade” is often reduced to a marketing hook, Ibu reclaims it as a declaration of self-reliance. Over a hundred artisan groups in fifty countries partner with The Ibu Foundation to push back against poverty, using the art in their hands to carve out new futures.

A Samburu woman of Kenya, skilfully hand-beading.

Take the Samburu women of Kenya. Their beadwork isn’t an echo of tradition; it’s a currency of survival. With steady fingers, they knot tiny beads into bold necklaces and cuffs that speak in the colours of the desert. Each piece threads together community, resilience, and cash flow - fuel for education, food, and the right to stay on their land...

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Image Credits:

Lead Image: Traditional Kenyan beaded collar, handmade by the artisans of BeadWORKS for Ibu Movement.

All other images as credited in photo captions.