Travel Diary Ep.3: Unveiling the Essence of Ari Heritage
Unveiling the Essence of Ari Heritage: Our First Creative Collaboration
Our journey with Honor the Tribes began deep in the lush hills of southern Ethiopia, where we,
Laura and
I, had the privilege of visiting the Ari tribe; the first community we collaborated with to create our unique wall hangings and rugs. What unfolded was far more than an art project. It became a shared experience of creativity, tradition, and mutual inspiration.
We started with a simple idea: to preserve and celebrate the traditional body art of the tribes by translating their designs into lasting pieces. A few Ari women began by painting their bodies using natural techniques they’ve practiced for generations. The beauty of it was more than just visual, it was spiritual. Each line, each swirl, each shape held meaning.
As we observed, something amazing happened: one of the women, moved by the project, began painting her home in a similar style. The creativity sparked by our collaboration had already begun to ripple outward, blending tradition with new expression. It was a beautiful reminder of how art can inspire, not only us as visitors, but within the community itself.
Meanwhile, a group of other tribe members began preparing injera, Ethiopia’s beloved sourdough flatbread, using traditional open-fire methods. We were fascinated watching how art and everyday life are so closely intertwined in the village, how beauty lives not just in ceremony, but in the rhythm of daily living.
As the fire for cooking grew stronger, the atmosphere became electric with possibility. That’s when one of the tribe members had an idea: "Could we use the fire to do some burning on the leather wall hangings?"
Of course, we said yes.
That moment marked the beginning of an entirely new technique, integrating traditional fire-burning patterns into the leather itself. The result was stunning: textures that carried the energy of the earth and flame, giving each piece a soulful, tactile depth.
To create the paints, the Ari women didn’t just use what we brought. They did what they always do, mixing pigments with natural elements like soil, cow dung, chalk, and ash, honouring the ancient ways of preparing colour from the land itself. These aren’t just colours, they’re living materials, connecting the art directly to the land it comes from.
Now, we’re proud to share with you five exclusive rugs and wall hangings, each one a tribute to this incredible collaboration. Every thread holds a story, every mark a memory, and every piece reflects the essence of the Ari people’s rich and vibrant heritage.
This is more than art. This is culture made visible.
And now, it can live on your wall, keeping the story alive.
