We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Uwimana Zakiya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Uwimana below.

Hi Uwimana, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I have had such a wonderful experiance learning about african spiritual tradition. I have learned so much about myself and my ancestors in the last 4 years. I have gained a sence of knowing my bloodline identity and how those that are no longer with me still play a significant roll in my life. Since the changing of my lifestyle all I have wanted to do is share my experiances and gift the world with the light of hope, change and prosperity african tradition has given me. So, we created Ifa Apparel. Each name on a garment reprsents an important element in the african tradition. My hopes are that people of the diaspara are intrigued and begin to do research on these beautiful african names that will eventually lead them to learn more about themselves. For those of us that are familiar, I wanted to create garments that represent our vintage traditions in todays modern world. Dont get me wrong we love the traditional garments and gele head wraps, However we needed garments that the younger generation could wear in pride of their tradition without excluding the Aunties and Uncles! Ifa Apparel unites us all in tradition, fashion and love. Ase’O!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

In 2019 I began a journey into self discovery. I was starting over in a new city and trying to gain footing in my new community. I discovered a diamond in the rough by the name of the SANKOFA Center. Sankofa, A Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana that loosely translates to, “go back and get it.” This center provided me the basic foundation into African sprirituality called Ifa. At the Sankofa Center I learned how important ancestral veneration was. I began asking questions about my lineage and discovered great things about my family. I also learned about maintaining good character, not judging others and builing a tribe that I can depend on. During this time is when I learned about the Orisha! The names of the great historical deities of africfa are printed on the products of Ifa Apparel. Getting to know the orisha is an intamate experiance that I can only describe as divine.

I started Ifa Apparel with my partner Akinyele. Sometime after his transition into Ifa we were talking about how beautiful the traditional garments were but noticed the younger generation did not gravitate to them. Yet they were tuned in to the tradition with great passion in their hearts. Soon after we decided to stop playing with the idea of Ifa Apparel and began making it a reality. We spent countless nights on design ideas, colors, font styles, fabrics and what exatly we wantd to provide. The first time we seen a sample product in its finished state was amazing. I instantly fell in love with the product and could not wait to share it with the world!

I think what sets Ifa Apparel apart from other african clothig brand is our style. Its very modern but also has a strong connection to the tradition. The apparel is for everyone to enjoy. you can dress it up or wear it casual. We also provide housewear and a variety of other products branded in Ifa tradition. I am mostly proud of the designs we created. It took lots of time to create images we thought ginuwinely represented each orisha. Its a small business with a major purpose, to inform the world of a forgotten tradition that connects you to your lineage and your purpose.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

Well I first met my partner when I was 14 years old ( hahaha ) um, he was 17 and we went to High School together. Through out time we woould lose each other and miraculously find eah other again. It felt like destiny kept us in each others lives. Mind you this was a time on Earth where cell phones were for the wealthy and the house phone was in your parents room. On the final time that we reunited we decided to make it the last time we would be apart and married in August of 2011. However since then we both have evolved into diffrent people with Ifa. Meeting him for the first time 4 years ago since his transition into ifa has been refreshing, challenging yet rewarding. We are currently growing together in Ifa and in our destiny.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

So recently we were dealing with an agency, whom we shall not name, that completely lost our origional website. The businness had been down and we lost a ton of sales. We didnt even know the site was down until we were contacted. After months of emails and navigating through a termulous business relationship we are now back up and running under www.ifaapparel.org We will be relaunching this spring with new designs and fashion for spring 2023!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ifaaparel.org