Place Description

Sasik

When entering the shop of Sasik, you will be immediately enchanted by the colorful, mystic, Arabic designs of their famous pillowcases. The technique is referred to as appliqué, which the mother and sister of the current owner and manager Aida have taught themselves how to transfer it to bigger pieces.

Today Aida takes the designs one step further and keeps creating new ones inspired by Arabic, Swahili and Bedouin patterns as well as ancient Arabic ornaments on architectural pieces throughout Stone Town.

Sasik is run as a women cooperative which especially gives women from rural areas of the island a possibility to improve their standard of living. The cotton is sourced from Tanzania mainland, since Zanzibar does not have its own cotton industry. The cut-offs of fabric factories are reused for their patterns. There are over 40 Zanzibari women contributing to the success of Sasik. Everything is directly sewed by hand in their shop in Stone Town.

Aida is also involved in the community through teaching yoga for free during outreach classes and creating educational material for better waste management awareness and recycling.

Premium Discount

Save 5% on all Sasik products in their shop (see map) with our code zanzibar.eco.sasik.