Namibia Craft Centre

What makes it special

The stalls hold the range of Namibian handcraft in one place: woven baskets, wild silk scarves, Himba bracelets, handmade paper, hand-woven carpets and embroidered linen. Look closely at the San ostrich-eggshell jewellery, the carved makalani kernels and the carvings made from tree roots.

The stalls represent about forty women-owned and community-run enterprises from rural areas. Between them they support more than 4,000 crafters and their families, many in the most remote parts of the country.

Omba Arts Trust, a non-profit that has worked with rural artisans for more than three decades, later took over the centre's management. It also markets contemporary San art, so look for it alongside the traditional craft.

Visiting

Before you buy anything, walk one full lap of the stalls. The range runs from jewellery to carved tree roots, and the lap shows you all of it before you choose. Then go back to the pieces that stayed with you.

Next, look for the gallery, which hangs original art you can view up close. It holds more than twelve exhibitions a year, so a show is usually on.

Finish at the Craft Café upstairs, which serves cakes, cold drinks and Namibian meals.

Tips

Cards are accepted, so you need not draw cash for a larger piece. Use the post office on site to send postcards home on the spot.

Ask the stallholder which community or project made the piece you are holding, and where in the country it came from.