Bringing African culture to Byron Bay

THE small rural village in Senegal where Samba Deme grew up is a world away from Byron Bay. But through his monthly stall at the Byron Community Markets, Deme has found a way to share his culture with the local community.

Deme met his Australian wife, Megan, in Barcelona. He moved to Australia in 2014, when she was pregnant with their first son, Hummadi. The following year, Deme began selling African products at the markets.

“I had just come to Australia and I didn’t have a job and my English was very bad, but I knew how to sell to people,” he said.

“I have made a lot of friends at the markets. There are very few Senegalese people in Australia, so the markets have become my community.”

That market stall grew into a business – African Fabrics Australia – which now supports the family, funds trips back to Africa, and helps Deme share his heritage with his new home.

Based in Suffolk Park, the couple design and create their own line of African bucket hats, headwraps, shirts, pants and children’s clothing, working alongside one of Senegal’s most experienced dyers and his team.

The partnership has been transformative. It’s allowed the Senegalese craftsman to develop skills in working with international clients and has opened doors to partnerships in the United States.

Deme has also built strong relationships with artisans across the continent, sourcing traditional handmade fabrics from Senegal, Mali, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Through ethical business practices and consistent income, he’s helping these makers grow and thrive.

Deme often speaks three or four different languages throughout the sourcing and production process.

“African fabrics are vibrant, iconic and bring people so much joy – not just the wearer but onlookers too,” he said. “Customers tell me all the time how many comments they get when they wear our shirts and they come back to get more.”

The next Byron Community Market will take place along the Main Beach foreshore on August 3.