New Year's Eve Traditions

2014 is almost here, and that means it’s time to celebrate. In America that usually means spending time with family at home, going out with friends, or catching up on sleep.  In Togo, however, they bring in the New Year a bit differently.

Coming together as a village is an important part of celebrating

New Year’s Eve in Togo doesn’t have the same fanfare as it does in many countries; New Year’s Day is when the celebrations start. From the city to the farm, families gather to cook a special meal. Instead of simply eating as a family, everyone ventures out, and goes house to house sharing the celebratory meal they have prepared. Family, friends, and neighbors come together as a community to bring in the 2014, to give thanks to each other, and to rekindle the special relationships that strengthen society.

After eating, families go to open-air bars for drinks and brochettes, similar to a kebab in the States, to listen to music and dance, and to wish each other either Bonne Année (French) or, in Olowo-n’djo’s home town, “Odun’kou-n’do” for a Happy New Year.

Traditional Togolese Brochettes 

Family, food, music, and coming together to welcome in a New Year, as in Togo and many other countries, shows that,culturally, the world isn't that different.

From us to you, “Odun’kou-n’do!”

What is in a symbol?

Alaffia recently introduced a brand new logo that represents what we are working to achieve as a company. Our logo contains three elements: the Eban symbol, Alaffia, and the words equality, empowerment, and beauty. The Eban symbol is a West African adinkra symbol representing protection, security, and love. Alaffia is a traditional central Togo greeting meaning peace, health, and well-being. The words equality, empowerment, and beauty are what we strive to bring to both our customers and communities across the globe. Empowerment through our various community projects, equality through fair trade practices, and beauty to our customers from  sustainable skin care products.

Rest assured anytime you purchase a product with the Alaffia logo, you are joining an organization committed to alleviating poverty and empowering communities. However, we are more than a company, we are a movement, led by our customers, and by communities in West Africa striving to create a better future. Thank you for your continued support toward working to achieve what we all know is possible, universal human dignity.

Local Outreach

Olowo-n’djo and Rose started Alaffia in 2003 as a way to correct an imbalance they saw in the world. Botanical Ingredients, which Olowo-n’djo helped harvest as a child, were undervalued; women that had a rich knowledge of the local flora were not being paid a fair wage; and communities in need were lacking a way to end the continuous cycle of poverty. However, they also understood empowerment isn’t simply an African issue; it’s a global issue.

Alaffia seeks to empower more than just communities in West Africa, we also support communities in the United States. Our mission to empower people starts with fair trade business practices and includes a commitment to community empowerment projects.

Our commitment to fair trade focuses on supporting local businesses, and we try to work with as many businesses within the community of Olympia as we can.  In instances when that’s not possible, we try to maintain a minimum three state radius for procuring resources. This has translated to over 90% of our packaging coming from domestic sources instead of China - where a lack of standards is creating a human rights and environmental tragedy. Because we put an emphasis on buying locally and domestically, we are lowering our environmental footprint and creating  financial strength in the community we reside.

Alaffia is also committed to supporting local charitable organizations that support and empower the underprivileged. We have been long-time supporters of The Other Bank and SafePlace Olympia. These organizations were founded with the goal of supporting abused women and children.   Recently we formed a new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County, and were able to donate 25 bicycles to underprivileged kids for the holidays. These alliances are a part of our growing commitment to all communities, and the recognition that empowerment everywhere can make an impact. Alaffia will continue to support local businesses and create meaningful partnerships that impact societies in both the United States and West Africa. Alleviating poverty and empowering communities is a global issue and Alaffia is committed to lending a helping hand.