YSWARA is an African luxury lifestyle brand that creates high-end products by African artisans. Its blog, YSWARA GRIOT, aims to promote Africa’s rich culture and history and foster a dialogue between African tradition and modernity. The blog is written from the perspective of a Griot, a West African historian and storyteller who passes down the history, values and tradition of the community through folk tales.
As the editor of the blog, I was responsible for all content requirements, from planning, writing and editing it, to posting and promoting it.
I wrote these pieces in accordance with the monthly theme of ‘identity’, to immerse readers in and stimulate conversations around the topic to help build a YSWARA community.
Paul Sika’s True Colors
Paul Sika’s art somehow manages to touch the deepest part of my soul; the vibrant colors in his work seem enhanced and unrealistic, yet, for me, they’re a true representation of all that Africa is – colorful, energetic and alive… The artist smiles as he recounts more than one time when a friend in high…
The Magic of Gary Stephens and the ‘Everyday’
Hair is such an important part of who we are as individuals – it communicates a plethora of messages about exactly who and what we are; gender, age, religion, ethnicity, culture, wealth, rank and even marital status. It has the power to dictate how others should treat us and forms an essential, ritualistic part of…
The ‘Stoned Cherrie” of Joburg’s heart
On the corner of 11th and Lillian, in Johannesburg’s Parkmore suburb, stands a striking olive house, mysterious and alluring. Upon entering it, my eyes are greeted by a burst of color, the backdrop to a space clad in vintage furniture, inspiration boards and collections of accolades. Eclectic fabrics are piled high in a small factory…
KIM LEE MORTON 