{"title":"African Artisan Gifts","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandcrafted contemporary pieces by African artisans — distinct from our museum-quality antique tribal collection. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"carved-awale-mancala-game-board-west-african-incised-elephant-motif-16-x-6-2-in","title":"Carved Awalé (Mancala) Game Board – West African, Incised Elephant Motif, 16 X 6.2 In","description":"\u003cp\u003eA carved wood Awalé (Oware\/Mancala-family) game board, measuring approximately 16 x 6.2 inches. The board features two rows of six deep cupped pits set into a dark-stained wood body, with a hinged lid section allowing the board to close for storage or travel. The exterior is decorated with an incised design finished in gold pigment, depicting a stylized elephant with raised trunk, a star motif, and rhythmic wave-form patterning running along the lower edge. The interior pit surfaces show a natural, unstained wood tone from wear and play.\u003cbr\u003eAwalé, part of the wider Mancala family of counting\/strategy games, is one of the oldest and most widely played traditional games across West Africa, historically carved from wood and played using seeds, shells, or small stones as counters. Boards like this one, combining functional gameplay with decorative surface carving, are both cultural artifacts and collectible folk art objects.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Awalé (Mancala) game board, hinged two-row form\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Carved dark wood with gold-highlighted incised decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: approx. 16 x 6.2 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition:  News, Good, decorative carving intact \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes: Playing seeds\/counters as shown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Alobalo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48223462392034,"sku":"ALB-ITM-009","price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/files\/65241e92-c6e1-4eca-bc0c-d077b49343b5.jpg?v=1786827480"},{"product_id":"crocodile-form-awale-mancala-game-board-carved-wood","title":"Crocodile-Form Awalé (Mancala) Game Board – Carved Wood","description":"\u003cp\u003eA carved wood Awalé (Mancala-family) game board in the sculptural form of a crocodile, measuring approximately 19 x 6.5 inches. The board's exterior is fully carved to resemble a crocodile's head, ridged back, and textured tail, finished in a rich dark stain with a glossy surface. The interior opens on a hinge to reveal two rows of six cupped playing pits, shown with a set of seeds used as counters. The reptile's head and tail form the rounded ends of the board when closed.\u003cbr\u003eAwalé, part of the wider Mancala family of counting and strategy games, is among the oldest and most widely played traditional games across West Africa, historically carved from wood and played with seeds, shells, or small stones as counters. This example combines functional gameplay with figurative sculptural carving, making it both a playable game and a decorative object.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Awalé (Mancala) game board, hinged two-row form, crocodile sculptural design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Carved wood, dark polished finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: approx. 19 x 6.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Good, carving and hinge intact (see photos)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes: Playing seeds\/counters as shown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Alobalo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48223602704610,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/files\/9a4d1e53-3f46-4337-9079-d7cc5dd35ded.jpg?v=1786831965"},{"product_id":"ghanaian-bamboo-and-carved-bead-necklace-mixed-bead-strand-1-3-cm-beads","title":"Ghanaian Bamboo and Carved Bead Necklace – Mixed Bead Strand, 1–3 cm Beads","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA handmade beaded necklace from Ghana, strung with a mix of dark cylindrical bamboo beads, larger carved cream-toned tube beads with incised geometric X and line patterning, small round black beads, and mottled reddish-orange accent beads. Bead sizes range from approximately 1 to 3 cm. The carved beads feature bold, hand-etched decorative patterning, contrasting with the smooth, dark bamboo segments that make up the bulk of the strand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBeaded necklaces of this type are a longstanding tradition in Ghana, combining locally sourced materials with decorative carving techniques, worn as personal adornment and, in some contexts, carrying cultural or status significance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alobalo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48230579110114,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/files\/WhatsApp_Image_2026-08-18_at_13.50.22_1.jpg?v=1787061245"},{"product_id":"handwoven-bolga-style-basket-bowl-ghana-natural-fiber-14-cm-diameter","title":"Handwoven Bolga-Style Basket Bowl – Ghana, Natural Fiber, 14 cm Diameter","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA handwoven shallow bowl-basket from Ghana, made from natural straw\/raffia fiber in a concentric circular pattern of red, black, green, and natural tan. Two flat woven handles extend from the sides. Measuring approximately 14 cm in diameter and 9 cm in height, this piece is a new, ready-to-use item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWoven baskets of this type are part of a longstanding Ghanaian craft tradition, most closely associated with the \"Bolga\" basket-weaving communities of the Upper East Region, who use dyed straw to create vibrant geometric and radial patterns. Traditionally used for carrying goods, serving, and storage, they're equally suited today as decorative bowls or general household storage — a versatile piece for keeping small items at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOrigin: Ghana\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMaterial: Handwoven natural straw\/raffia, dyed fibers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDimensions: approx. 14 cm diameter x 9 cm height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCondition: New\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eUse: Decorative bowl \/ household storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Alobalo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233574629602,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/files\/WhatsAppImage2026-08-18at17.14.37_2.jpg?v=1787073942"},{"product_id":"handwoven-fabric-statement-necklace-with-splatter-painted-beads","title":"Handwoven Fabric Statement Necklace with Splatter-Painted Beads","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA bold, one-of-a-kind statement piece made from richly textured, hand-wrapped fabric scraps in a vibrant multicolor palette — deep blues, reds, mustard, and cream all woven together into a chunky U-shaped centerpiece. The fabric drapes with a soft, tactile fringe that catches the light differently with every fold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe fabric section is anchored on each side by a hand-painted ceramic-style bead in cream with black and orange splatter detailing, giving the piece an artsy, abstract-art feel. These lead into a long strand of smooth, glossy black beads that complete the necklace and add a sleek contrast to the raw, woven texture up top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMaterials: Repurposed fabric scraps, black beads, hand-painted splatter-pattern accent beads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCountry of origin: Ghana \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStyle: Bohemian \/ statement \/ handmade textile jewelry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClosure: Beaded strand tie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOne of a kind — no two pieces are exactly alike due to the handwoven fabric technique\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Alobalo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48234465132770,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/files\/WhatsAppImage2026-08-18at22.35.13_2.jpg?v=1787093048"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/2201\/3922\/collections\/gift-made-in-africa-textiles-jewelry-hand-bags-cloths-and-artifacts.png?v=1786928910","url":"https:\/\/www.alobalo.shop\/collections\/contemporary-crafts.oembed","provider":"Alobalo ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}