Master Artisan | Dakar, Senegal
Specializing in handwoven textiles and paper crafts
Fatou Diallo is a master artisan from Dakar, Senegal, with over 15 years of experience in traditional weaving and paper crafting. Born into a family of artisans, Fatou learned weaving techniques from her grandmother at the age of eight and has been perfecting her craft ever since.
After completing formal training at the Dakar School of Arts, Fatou established a women's artisan cooperative in her community that now employs 35 women. The cooperative specializes in creating handwoven market bags using sustainable materials and traditional techniques, as well as handcrafted paper products including journals and stationery.
Fatou is passionate about preserving traditional crafting methods while incorporating sustainable practices. She sources all materials locally and uses natural dyes derived from plants. Through her work with Dilulu, Fatou has been able to expand her market reach internationally while maintaining the cultural integrity of her craft.
"My grandmother always told me that weaving is not just about creating something beautiful, but about weaving together our stories, our traditions, and our future. Every piece I create carries this wisdom and connects the person who uses it to our cultural heritage."
In addition to her crafting work, Fatou leads workshops for young women in her community, teaching both traditional techniques and business skills. She is committed to creating economic opportunities for women while preserving cultural heritage and promoting environmental sustainability.
Expert in West African weaving techniques using raffia palm and recycled materials to create durable, functional products.
Specializes in creating vibrant, colorfast dyes from local plants, minerals, and traditional recipes.
Creates high-quality recycled paper using traditional methods and locally sourced materials.
Crafts journals and notebooks using traditional West African binding techniques adapted for durability.
Through her cooperative, Fatou has created sustainable livelihoods for 35 women in her community, many of whom are single mothers or primary breadwinners for their families. The cooperative provides fair wages, flexible working hours, and skills training.
The environmental impact of Fatou's work is equally significant. Her cooperative has diverted over 2 tons of plastic waste from landfills by incorporating recycled materials into their products. Additionally, their use of natural dyes reduces water pollution associated with synthetic dyes.
By purchasing Fatou's products, you're directly supporting women's economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of traditional crafting techniques.
