Proudly Serving Our Customers Since 1974
History Of Manding
The word Mande (spelled Manding in British writing) refers to a large family of languages spoken by a great number of West African ethnic groups. During the 1200's, Mande speaking people lived in independent states in Africa. Today's geographic landscape would place these groups between Bamako and Kouroussa. Since the 1200s, they have spread out into the west coast of Africa, covering land in Burkina Faso, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
The Mande society consists of two main groups: the Horonw (farmers) and the Nyamakalaw (tradesmen). The Horonw provide sustenance and economic stability through the export of crops. The Nyamakalaw carve and trade ritual masks and headdresses used to celebrate and preserve their culture. Together they compliment each other's lifestyles, and work together to create a vital, stable society.
Who Is Nema?
Nema is a Mande and native of The Gambia, West Africa. From the time he was a young boy growing up in Kulari village which is located in The Gambia, he dreamed about being a bead trader. He admired his elders who traveled the world to trade beads, and returned to their village and neighboring tribes to share wonderful and fascinating news from distant countries. This experience convinced Nema that he wanted to be a bead-and-art trader and, like his elders, be a source of world news for neighboring tribes and villages.
As a boy, Nema began trading among villages. Over the course of forty years, he has supplied the Smithsonian Institute, the Museum of African Art in Philadelphia, the Pace Gallery in New York, the Bead Museum in Prescott, Arizona, and numerous collectors and galleries throughout the nation with African Art, beads, and textiles. His pieces have included outstanding examples of trade beads dating from the fifteenth century to the present.
Nearly fifteen years ago, Victoria joined Nema on his venture with providing an array of tribal art, trade beads, textiles, fabric, and clothing. Although they reside in Atlanta, Georgia, they have numerous collectors in every state within the United States.
Discounts and Coupons
For 40 years, we established and maintained effective working relationships with individual tribes throughout Africa. Because of this relationship, we import our merchandise directly from African tribes and villages without dealing with a “middle-man”. Due to this arrangement, we can afford to offer our merchandise at very competitive prices. In addition, we extend extra savings to our customers when inventory is overstock or when bargains have been negotiated during a buying trip. Although our prices are competitive, we offer an additional 5% discount coupon for all online purchases. Signup for our bi-monthly newsletter and receive better deals. The newsletters include promotions, coupons, new arrivals, and more!
Wholesale Prices
We provide wholesale prices to retailers and museums. Please feel free to contact us for details.
About the Owners
We are Nema and Victoria, owners of Manding Imports of Africa since 1974. As you browse our website and view our online gallery, expect to find a diverse collection of fine art, trade beads, textiles, furniture, jewelry, and clothing for very competitive prices.
Please contact us if you have additional questions or items of interest that are not found on our website. We make quarterly visits to Africa (particularly West and Central Africa) and could possibly locate special item(s) for you. In addition, we make routine purchases from our diverse contacts located in Africa. Since there is not a "middle-man", we can afford to offer our merchandise at very competitive prices.
We look forward to hearing from you and providing quality customer service.
Our Best Regards,
Nema and Victoria
Site last updated: February 12, 2010