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Sn CAWAAN

Seventy miles from Dakar, beautiful shoes are being made.

last updated , originally posted 12 February 2012

ced   splash   leather   artisan  

Located 70 miles from the capital of Senegal, Ngaye-Mékhé is known throughout the country for its beautiful leather products. The shoemakers from the small town of 20,000 people have won Senegal’s Grand Prize for artisanal products an impressive three times since the award’s inception in 1993. 


Perhaps the best of these shoemakers is the family business called CAWAAN Cordonnerie.

Since the 1930s, CAWAAN Cordonnerie has made beautiful leather products. In 1980, Moussa Gueye took over leadership of the workshop along with his brothers, and they continue to put precision and care into each of their hand-made products. Only the best quality artisanal passport wallets, belts, bags, and sandals are made by the workshop.


Purchasing from CAWAAN represents an important investment in the Senegalese community. From the herders to the skin collectors to the tanners to the workshop, hundreds of people benefit directly from your purchase.

Emily Schauer edited CAWAAN
Emily Schauer edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Neil Kolstad edited CAWAAN
Jack Brown edited CAWAAN
Jack Brown edited CAWAAN
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