ABOUT

Inkaya: An Ode to Ancestral Earth is a community oriented project  grounded in a design approach grounded in baTonga knowledge and technique. The project also seeks to promote and nurture collaborative and imaginative ways to acheive sustainable development within the artisanal sector in Zambia. 
Our name, Inkaya, is a ciTonga noun for a layered type of bracelet made by the baTonga blacksmiths and jewelers using materials from terra; copper, ivory and bone. Body adornments, like the bracelets are central to buTonga personhood and culture; to us they represent and celebrate the imaginative cultural identities of our ancestors and those of our future.


Our journey is an ode to ancestral earth centered around the preservation of indigenous body adornment cultures. We preserve our roots through the use of indigenous Zambezian knowledge and design in the birthing process of unique present day pieces.

We are deeply passionate about Sustainable Development within the Zambezian artisanal sector. One of our base visions as a community oriented project is to be an active part of the paradigm shift in which artisanal industries are positive and equitable spheres for people and the planet alike.

Sustainability Manifesto

For Culture, People and The Planet We Commit to the Following:


  • Radical Zambezian Reimagination: Culture as Our Source of Inspiration

    Radical Zambezian Reimagination is an approach centered around preserving and making use of ancestral pasts to generate a new trajectory of thought, action and object.

  • Building Local Ecosystems:

    We offer a variety of training, research programming and consultancy for artisinal and/or creatively oriented community development oriented projects operating within Zambia. In the production of our pieces, in order to empower artisans and reduce energy emissions we prioritise working with local suppliers, vendors and stockists. Working in this way ensures we nurture strong and supportive networks in all our immediate spheres of operation and thus impact the sphere in which we are working in the most positive ways. 

  • Biomimicry: Nature as Our Source of Inspiration

    Biomimicry is an approach of innovative design centered around the concept of using nature as a board for inspiration. Inspiration is fuelled by connection and connection in turn fuels non-harm. 

    Cradle to Cradle Approach and Low/Zero Waste Policy:

    The Cradle to Cradle approach is the idea that Inkaya’s products not only cause no or minimum harm, but actually benefit people and the environment along the entire product’s lifecycle. Cradle to Cradle proposes a future “where design is a positive, regenerative force, producing effects that we want to expand rather than shrink.” At all stages in our design cycle we ensure utmost consciousness in designing and assembling pieces. We employ a zero or low waste material policy.