Dear Friends of the Koumama Family,
It’s time for another of our periodic letters to all of you who have supported our project to create jobs for the very talented but desperately poor Tuareg silversmiths.
This has been a year of great challenges and new opportunities. Elhadji, his family and many of the silversmiths fled Agadez for Niamey in 2007 after the conflict between some Tuaregs and the central government began. Northern Niger where the Tuaregs have traditionally lived remains completely isolated. There is absolutely no tourism. People can only travel with armed convoys and are subjected to nightly curfews. This spring there was a glimmer of hope that a peaceful resolution was close. Once again, though, things look bleak. President Tanja, whose term in office ends in December, has announced that he will defy the Supreme Court and hold a referendum to change the constitution to allow him to continue in office. There have been mass demonstrations, opposition from politicians within and outside the ruling party and threats of international sanctions. Tanja has broken off peace talks and ex-tended military rule for three more months. Elhadji cannot safely return to his beloved Agadez until there is peace. For now the Koumamas are living in Niamey. Since there is no work in Agadez he is supporting many people there including his eight older brothers and sisters and their families.
Like most businesses, TuaregJewelry.com has experienced a slowing of sales because of the downturn in the worldwide economy. We are grateful to the loyal customers who continue to buy the jewelry for themselves and for gifts. There are still about 40 artisans making the jewelry but there is less work for each of them. They have spent their extra time working on new designs and techniques. These pieces will be shown for the first time during Elhadji’s June and July exhibitions and will then be added to the website inventory. Among them are several absolutely spectacular one-of-a-kind all silver necklaces set with stones and some very interesting ebony and silver rings and pendants.
In January Elhadji flew to New York to help me with the New York International Gift Fair. He needed to see a large wholesale show so that he will have a better idea of what buyers expect when buying Tuareg jewelry. A very generous friend loaned us his apartment and also provided warm winter clothes for Elhadji. Coming from the Sahara he found it difficult to adjust to the very cold weather but was warmed by the friendly New Yorkers.
Elhadji was invited to spend May in Helsinki participating in an exhibition and celebration of Tuareg culture. The Koumama jewelry was displayed at the Cultural Center of Helsinki. I joined him to help with the sale of jewelry.
Elhadji has been selected to participate in the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and the Kellogg training program. He is one of 140 artists from around the world who will be selling their art on July 11 and 12. The selection process is rigorous and it is an honor to be chosen.
Amina, Elhadji’s 15-year-old daughter, will arrive in the US on June 19. This will be her very first trip out of Niger. We are looking forward to showing her a new world. We hope that she will be able to come to the US for college in three years.
The rest of the Koumama family is doing well. Smalie, 13, has one more year of primary school. He is a very serious student who has consistently been at the top of his class. Abdoul, age 10, is catch-ing up fast in his studies after several years of poor to nonexistent schools in Agadez. Izara, 8, is, well, Izara-brash, cute, self-confident and quite a handful for her teachers. Fatima, 4, has a personality like Izara. She is a darling headstrong little girl who keeps her parents running. Last year she had malaria twice and typhoid once but recovered quickly. She will start kindergarten in the fall. Baby Issouf just turned one. He is a happy little boy, surrounded by adoring siblings, parents and the many people who live in Elhadji’s house.
We are collecting as many email addresses as possible so that we can distribute future newslet-ters via email. Please take a minute to send an email to annelston@lossing.com with your name, email address and city. We promise that you will not be barraged with emails from us.
Elhadji is here now. He will be appearing at the events listed below. We hope that you will visit with him and see the lovely jewelry.
June 5: Laurel Benhamida has arranged with Salam, Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims, for Elhadji to sell his jewelry after Friday prayers from 12 to 3 p.m. and at Family Night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please be respectful and wear modest clothing. Headscarves are not required. Directions are available at www.salamcenter.org.
June 6: The Metal Arts Guild is again hosting Elhadji’s demonstration of Tuareg jewelry making at Scintillant Studio, 1258 Valencia Street, San Francisco. The jewelry show is 2 to 6, demonstration from 3 to 5. There is a $5 charge for non-MAG members.
June 7: The Muslim community is honoring its graduates with a gathering at the San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon. They have invited Elhadji to display and sell his jewelry. The event starts at 2 p.m. and is open to everyone.
June 9: Gallery 291 is hosting an exhibition from 6:30 to 9:30 in its lovely space at 291 Geary Street overlooking Union Square in San Francisco. The gallery is currently exhibiting marvelous photos of Tuareg women by the well-known photographer Elizabeth Sunday. This is a terrific opportunity to enjoy the beauty of both the jewelry and the photographs. Get a preview on the gallery website: http://gallery291.net. Join us for a glass of wine and a chance to catch up with Elhadji.
June 13: Elhadji will have a trunk show and also do demonstrations at Personal FX, 643 Main St., Half Moon Bay, 650-560-9131. This a lovely shop with unique jewelry and other accessories. The show will be from 3 to 6 p.m. with demonstrations every half hour or so.
June 14: The San Francisco Opera Shop is hosting Elhadji for a trunk show. The Shop will open at 12:30 in advance of the 1:00 performance of Tosca and continue at the 7:30 performance of Porgy and Bess.
June 15: Elhadji will be selling his jewelry in the courtyard at the Mill Valley Health Club and Spa, 639 Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, (415) 380-8787 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Members and nonmembers are invited to stop by.
June 20 and 21: Marin Art Festival at the Lagoon at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Hours are 10-6. This is a great festival. Elhadji will have two tents, one to exhibit jewelry and the other to do demonstrations. Admission is $10 but if you email me I can send you a pass for free admission.
June 26: We will have a trunk show in the lobby of 100 Pine Street in San Francisco from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is a convenient location in the financial district with great access to BART, MUNI and Golden Gate Transit.
June 27: Trunk show at Zizi, 334 Healdsburg Avenue in Healdsburg, (707) 431-2209, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Zizi is a great boutique just off the square in downtown Healdsburg. This will be Elhadji’s only Sonoma County event. It is a great excuse to see him and enjoy the delightful shopping, wine tasting and dining in this charming town.
Our website, www.TuaregJewelry.com, will be updated later in the summer to add the new designs. If you cannot visit in person we hope that you will shop online.
Thank you from the Koumamas, all of the artisans and me for your interest and support of the project.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Elston