Mbare, Ltd. specializes in importing high quality African art made from natural and recycled materials. All of our items are uniquely created by artisans and craftspeople in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland, Niger and Senegal. Borrowing our name from the famous Mbare Musika marketplace in Harare, we take pleasure in bringing African creativity—including Shona stone sculpture, non-endangered wood carvings, painted tin animals, Weya art, and recycled bottle cap art—to your home.
In the language of the Shona People of Zimbabwe, mbare (pronounced "im-bah-ree") means "a gathering of things" or "a marketplace". Robbie Stewart, the president and owner of Mbare grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe. "Mbare Ltd grew out of my desire to create a sustainable source of income for Zimbabwean artists. I have always had an appreciation for local art found at roadside markets, in urban workshops, or at the homes of talented craftspeople. The artistic skills that Zimbabweans possess are often passed down through generations and represent an accumulation of knowledge and talent. Getting to know families that engage in this work has been a privilege for me."
We currently import from 5 countries in Africa and constantly looking to expand our product offering as we seek out the best that Africa has to offer.
Values:
- Fair Trade
- Sustainable relationships
- Community/Social Responsibility
- Trust
- Empowerment
- Integrity
Mission:
Mbare sells fairly traded art, crafts, home decor and personal accessories from Africa. We directly source products of the finest craftsmanship and design. Above all, we add value to people’s lives. People throughout the value chain are our greatest resource. We creatively employ technology to streamline our processes, execute with excellence and provide exceptional customer experience.