All around the world, MADE51 - a UNHCR initiative - creates opportunities for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people to work and earn a living through craftsmanship. Being self-reliant is one of the most effective ways people can rebuild their lives with dignity.


The MADE51 model is both sustainable and scalable. In each country, MADE51 identifies a leading social enterprise to work with the refugee artisans, combine their capabilities with the skills of refugee artisans, thereby creating an innovative, market-based model for the economic inclusion of refugees.


Tribal Textiles is proud to be the creative social enterprise chosen to collaborate with artisans living in a Congolese refugee settlement in the Mantapala area of Northern Zambia. Since 2017, Zambia has indeed been taking in refugees fleeing from continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fast forward to 2021 and the population of Congolese refugees restarting their lives in the new refugee settlement of Mantapala has climbed to 17,232 individuals.


Our journey to Mantapala started in February 2021, to seek out hidden creative talents and to begin the building of an artisan craft center within the settlement. Eight months later, we are beyond thrilled to be able to offer this Tribal Textiles x Made51 collection. 

While the design and technique are the same, each artisan has his own way of weaving, making each piece unique in its own special way.

• Dimensions : 12 cm wide x 11 cm height
• Naturally fallen wood hand-carved and stitched to 100% natural woven palm
• The plain version is branded with patterns made from fired metal
• Each piece may vary slightly due to its handcrafted nature
• Ethically handcrafted in the Refugees UNHCR Mantapala settlement, Northern Zambia