When you visit Dzaleka Refugee Camp, don’t just take in the culture — take home a piece of it. The camp’s artisans and makers offer beautifully crafted products that reflect resilience, creativity, and community spirit. Shopping here supports local livelihoods and gives you a meaningful souvenir of your journey.
Kibébé: Handmade Goods with Purpose
One of the most recognised artisan brands connected to Dzaleka is Kibébé, an African lifestyle label that works with skilled artisans — many connected to the camp — to create handmade, sustainable products from vibrant traditional fabrics called chitenje and other upcycled materials.
- Must-buy: Bags, home goods, accessories, and children’s items made from colorful textiles and traditional prints.
- Why it matters: Purchases contribute to economic empowerment for artisans and support vocational programs that foster skills and income within the local community.
Art and Craft in the Community
Dzaleka is home to many creative talents — from painters and sculptors to jewelry makers, performers, and designers — documented through the Dzaleka Art Project. While there isn’t a single official storefront, art and crafts often appear in community spaces, exhibitions, and during cultural events like the Tumaini Festival, where artists share and sometimes sell their work.
- What to look for: Paintings, handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and other art pieces created by refugees and camp residents.
- Cultural context: These works reflect personal stories, cultural roots, and the creative energy of a diverse community.
Tailoring and Local Fashion
Tailoring and garment making are part of Dzaleka’s vibrant micro-economy. Skilled tailors often work with locally sourced fabrics to produce custom clothing, repairs, and bespoke fashion pieces.
- Tips for visitors: Bring fabric from regional markets or look for colorful cloth at local market days. Tailors at the camp can make bespoke garments or adapt clothing to your size (prices and turnaround vary by tailor).
- Market atmosphere: Weekly market days bring a lively mix of fabrics, accessories, and artisanal goods, giving visitors a chance to interact with makers and see traditional cloth and clothing styles up close.
Market Days and Cultural Exchange
The camp’s markets and cultural events are excellent places to explore and shop while experiencing daily life in Dzaleka. Tuesday market days draw vendors and visitors alike, offering fabrics, crafts, and other locally made products.
Visiting during community celebrations — especially the Tumaini Festival, an annual arts and cultural event — can also be a great opportunity to engage directly with makers and learn more about their work.
Travel Tip: When shopping or photographing in Dzaleka, always ask permission and be respectful of residents’ privacy and personal space.
