Tribe Shaman Josh Foss on Thrivability, cycling with his Vietnam 6 Raja + more.

Share this post TFUPM Posted May 17, 2013 in Eco-design, Raja Pack, Sustainability, Tribe, Vietnam 6

Tribe Scribe here. It's National Bike to Work Day in the States, and we thought we'd invite close friend, Tribe member and Tribe Shaman (ambassador) Joshua Foss to make a Tribe cameo on the ETK Blog today, in honor of the day and in honor of living a more thrivable life. I know you'll dig his message and his vibe as much as we do. Check it out...

I’ve been rockin’ the Vietnam 6 Raja backpack for about two months now, and I must say it is fantastic for a number of reasons.  First, its performance and versatility is better than any other bag I’ve ever owned.  This thing is loaded with features, from the separate laptop compartment and various vessels/pockets perfect for storing smaller tidbits, to its ‘reach through’ component that allows easy access to the bottom of the bag without needing to open it up.  These are all great, but in addition to its features, I’ve especially appreciated the Raja’s ability to carry a significant load with ease.  There have been a number of times where I’ve put a good 40-50 pounds worth of groceries and gear in the pack and hopped on my bike to ride home.  I found myself barely noticing the weight until I stepped off my bike again - a testament to the pack’s capability of evenly distributing its weight.

Another reason I find the bag so fantastic is of course its unique story.  I am frequently approached by others who are drawn to the bag - ‘where is it from?’, ‘who made it?’, and ‘how can I get one of my own?’ are becoming familiar questions to hear.  The Raja is undeniably captivating, and people instantly recognize its authenticity.  I particularly love this, because it’s this authenticity that gives me a jolt of pride every time I throw the pack over my shoulders.  It truly feels like I’m not only helping to preserve other cultures, but I’m actively celebrating their unique and beautiful craftsmanship in a way that services and enhances my own lifestyle…everyone wins!  This aligns perfectly with a philosophy I’m working to bring to life called Thrivability, a holistic way of being and working that steps beyond sustainable development and into a realm that approaches our pressing 21st century challenges as meaningful opportunities. 

Corresponding to this, I truly feel Ethnotek is onto something profoundly beautiful.  For most people, globalization is generally acknowledged as an invasive and unyielding force, a steamroller of standardization and replication, a platform for modern corporate imperialism.  But what Ethnotek has done is reverse this exploitive flow, utilizing the expansive market reach of globalization as a pathway to protect, serve and even enhance cultural diversity.  In my humble opinion, the crew at Ethnotek are at the front edge of a new way of creating products and doing business in the 21st century – a way that enriches the lives of every stakeholder who is connected to the product.  A way that is truly thrivable!

So with this as a bit of context, I’d love share how the Vietnam 6 has come to accommodate my life these past two months.  Being that it’s National Bike to Work Day today, I of course am an avid rider.  I ride virtually everywhere I go - in fact, I don’t even own a car!  I’m fortunate to live in a city (Minneapolis) that has a great bike culture and supporting infrastructure that allows me to ride year-round (and can truthfully say that I’ve ridden my bike when it’s been 30 degrees below zero – wind chill included of course)!  My Raja has only been with me in warmer weather, but I’m fully confident it’ll hold its own in all four seasons we have here. 

Anyway, each day is somewhat of an adventure for me.  I throw all sorts of madness into my pack and head off on my bike to a coffee shop to work, a park to read a book, or one of Minneapolis copious happy hours.  In the photo below, you can see some of the gear that travels with me on an almost daily basis.  This includes: a basic bike repair kit, my laptop with charger, an inspiring book or two, a solar charger from GoalZero that juices my iPhone, as well as my portable speaker that provides my daily soundtrack.  Also included is a healthy snack, my classic Klean Kanteen, my reusable ChicoBag (if I happen to ride by a thrift store, I have no self-control, so I need this bag for overfill!), a notebook for capturing my sporadic thoughts, and a yoga mat, which helps me keep loose and limber, as well as grounded in a busy life.

There ya have it - a quick review of my Raja.  If you can’t tell, I’m fully hooked on it and am proud to be a part of the Ethnotek Tribe (and it is quite literally a tribe – every time I see someone else sporting an ETK pack or accessory, a great conversation is easily initiated).  So do yourself a favor and get a pack of your own.  I guarantee it’ll add a kick to your step! - Josh Foss

Enjoy the journey today and everyday, 

Tribe Scribe

A little bit about the guest Tribe writer, Josh Foss:

Joshua Foss is a very close friend of Founders Jake and Josh, and in many ways has been an advisor on all things sustainable. He is the mastermind green guru behind Thrive Design Studio, Metro Hippie and various other projects on the topic of thrivability. Josh is a dynamic practitioner and ambassador for regenerative design, having worked with some of the most innovative projects, developments, and guiding philosophies on the planet. A strength of Josh's is his ability to creatively envision a future that looks beyond sustainability and into the realm of thrivability, an emerging philosophy that recognizes organizations, communities and economies as living systems that have the potential to thrive if given the proper fertile conditions. His work, simply put, is to develop these conditions and apply, plan and share them within a diverse ecosystem of projects, from multi-billion dollar urban regeneration schemes to elite multi-disciplinary higher education programs. From a personal lens, Josh is one of the most compassionate, and even almost otherworldly souls we've ever encountered, and we're beyond-thankful to have Josh as an ambassador for Ethnotek. And yes, we know - he is quite the 'dude.' Cheers, Josh!

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Tribe Motherhood

Share this post TFUPM Posted May 11, 2013 in creativity, inspiration, motherhood, passion, Tote Bag, Tribe

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. - Abraham Lincoln

This statement couldn't be more true. As you can imagine, the importance of motherhood runs deep in our Tribe. Many of the artisans in the villages we partner with around the world are mothers, and Tribe member Arushi has commented on how strong the role of women is in Bhuj - where the weaving process starts and ends with the women of the Tribe. That's special. The women of the Tribe are special, and we wouldn't be here without them. This statement holds true for our own mothers as well. Today we are full of gratitude for them, because without their undying support and love, Ethnotek wouldn't be possible. Today we are counting our many blessings, and taking time to express gratitude to the mothers in our villages, and our own mothers. 

I'd like to share with you a video that Tribe member and friend Aaron Fryman shared with us, from the Hmong Cultural Center of St. Paul, MN, called "Threads of Life (Paj Ntaub)" that illustrates the importance of traditional threads in the Hmong culture and the sharing of this craft from one generation to the next. 

This is incredible, isn't it?! It's inspiring. "Every generation is supposed to prepare for the next. Since few Hmong could read or write for centuries, our people have used the threads of life to tie one generation to the next. Hmong women have always played an important role. It is a gift from the heart, made with the hand...Love can be seen in the proud eyes of a mother, and a daughter's willingness to learn. Together, young girls and their mothers create beautiful Hmong costumes...The traditional Hmong threads worn by a girl, often show her family history and what family plan she belongs to. It connects her to her roots." This is why we are here. To keep culture alive for generations to come. So we'd be remiss not to take some time to thank the people in our lives that have helped us to make this all possible: our own mothers. 

Meet Founder and Head Bag Designer Jake's awesome mom, Cathy. I am pretty sure Cathy is an angel disguised in Ethnotek clothing, slinging Ethnotek bags 'round the world. Check out Ethnotek's domestic HQ, in Cathy's basement in Eagan, MN. Fancy, huh?! Truth. Cathy is responsible for welcoming all of you Tribe members who order directly from our website to the Tribe. She has shipped bags from LA to Pakistan to London to Japan, and she keeps the operation moving smoothly (together with Founder Josh, Customer Care Guru). Cathy, we love you and are forever thankful for you. For your passion, your commitment to the cause, and for making this journey possible. 

Check out the set-up Cathy's got going on for Ethnotek HQ...incredible! 

Cathy's showing off the recently-launched Vietnam 2 Dep Tote below...her bag of choice. 


Meet Founder and Customer Care Guru Josh's mom, Penny. If you recall, Penny was the mastermind behind the recycled Thread fabric lanyards from our first stint at Outdoor Retailer last summer. Penny has a tremendously special soul - she is a creative guru and has an unmatched spirit. She is always willing to help and she has raised quite the special spirit in Josh as well. For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting him, you'll know what I mean. Penny, we are beyond thankful for your support. 

Check out Penny's work station and the awesome result of the recycled Thread fabric lanyards...  



Special thanks goes out to two more Tribe mothers - Josh's amazing and supportive wife, Carrie (mother to little Layla - below), and Megan's mom - and one of Ethnotek's best customers - Kate (she almost single-handedly keeps the organization afloat with her online orders :)). Of course, there are many more mothers we could thank...you are all incredible. 


Take a moment today to thank your mom, and the mothers around you. Motherhood is the greatest accomplishment, and in our Tribe it also means a continuation of cultural traditions for generations to come. 

Thank you, Tribe moms. 

Tribe Scribe

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Tribe Travel Inspiration

Share this post TFUPM Posted May 08, 2013 in Adventure, Backpack, Connection, Culture, Inspiration, Travel, Tribe

Today (and everyday, really) we're inspired by the differences in culture around the globe, travel, adventure, connections, exploration, and time spent with the one and only Mother Nature. We were stoked to have been reminded of this as we were featured on REI's instagram page for their REI 1440 Project, whose goal is to "fill each and every minute of this "virtual day" (all 1440 of them) with photography representing our collective love of outside." So I thought I'd share a little inspiration with the Tribe today. 

Our Tribe lives for adventure and experiencing culture...authentically. As a Tribe, we share stories with each other of travels near and far - travels to the market and travels to Machu Picchu. Because we approach each opportunity with an open mind and positive vibes and we let adventure in. In fact, we welcome it with open arms. We love the butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling of anticipation and excitement right before embarking on another journey. Curious as to whom we'll meet and what we'll see, smell, touch, taste...curious about it all. At times, we even seek out the uncomfortable, because we know we'll emerge from the discomfort with self-growth. And good stories to tell. Travel makes us feel whole. It makes us feel alive.

That said, it's pretty evident why this video of two cool chicks hitchhiking to Guatemala inspired us, filled us with emotion and left us feeling all stirred up. You know what that's like...it's that 'I have to get on the road again' feeling that won't go away. No matter how many experiences you have. In fact, the more experiences, the stronger the stir. This bug...it doesn't go away. And, I'm feeling it pretty deep in the pit of my stomach after watching this...go ahead, take a look-see. Be warned: you'll feel it too. 


AWAY! Two girls hitchhiking to Guatemala. from Marissa Rivera Bolaños on Vimeo.

Special thanks to our banner printer Joe Sodomka, who shared this video with us - proving once again that connections are made for a reason and our Tribe is intentional and powerful. Our mission to keep culture alive resonated with him, and he shared this video with us, as his daughter is one of these awesome chicks. How cool is our Tribe?! Ever-inspired. 

The sunshine is shining down on  you. The opportunity to travel and prove to yourself and the world that it (the world) really can be smaller and more connected is right in front of you. It's time to fly.

Never stop exploring...

Tribe Scribe

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The Tribe Speaks: Tribe Member Kayt on the Dep Tote

Share this post TFUPM Posted April 30, 2013 in Community, Connection, Dep Tote, Tote Bag, Travel, Tribe


Once upon a time there was a girl named Kayt. And a boy named Jake. They grew up together and chased each other around the soccer field. Literally. Verdict's still out as to who was chasing whom. They built forts and dreamed up mysterious make-believe lands in the shrub and woods behind the soccer fields when they were just six years old. The story goes that Jake (Founder and Design Shaman) and Kayt grew up together and remained friends, each growing in their creative pursuits - Kayt as a graphic designer and business owner extraordinaire and Jake as a bag designer and business owner extraordinaire - and all the while, Kayt has followed Jake's journey with Ethnotek and vice-versa. 

Kayt mentioned to me that what she finds inspiring is the way "Jake looks at things differently...looks past the ho-hum, drab aspects of the everyday. He sees so much more, and this has always inspired me. That joy and extra spark in his eye tells a story entitled Let's Go Exploring!" She's proud to call herself a 'Tribe member,' following the Ethnotek mission to celebrate and promote world culture one bag at a time. 


About a year ago, and by popular demand from the Tribe ladies, the design team (aka Jake) posed the question to the Tribe on Facebook: Tote or no Tote? And, if we were to design a Tote, what were the must-have features? Kayt was more than happy to chip in and give her feedback on the design, based on her adventurous, yet style-conscious perspective; "It’s been so amazing to witness this extraordinary product, company and movement these past couple of years. I am very excited, proud and honored to be able to contribute my thoughts and be a part of the rockin' Ethnotek Tribe whenever possible!"

Before I go on, can I just state the obvious: Kayt = number 1. How amazing is our Tribe?! Seriously. We are constantly full of gratitude to have a strong community composed of like-minded individuals who are so stoked to get involved and share their story, and the stories of our artisans. It's unreal, and we're both honored and humbled! 

Check out what Kayt had to say about her new India 8 Dep Tote:


The Dep Tote really is a thing of pure beauty (nice work on the name Cori)! (Tribe Scribe Note: Dep" means "beautiful" in Vietnamese). When I first received it, I thought it would make an awesome day/weekend trip bag...but I found myself using it daily for my work and everyday bag. It's perfect in that it is low-key and relaxed enough to go everywhere, but yet big enough to hold the whole office on-the-go. 

In fact, on the very day I received it, I packed it up and headed out for a day of the “design office on-the-go" composed of client photo shoots, morning brainstorming sessions at the corner coffee cart, a few meetings and finishing up projects from the park (yes our parks here have wireless...hello, heaven!). And, of course, I felt I couldn't forget to make sure to take that time out of the day for a little stroll down to the beach to be reminded of how amazing this beautiful world we live in is.  


I really like the feel of this bag - not just the fabric and materials (although that thread/textile...man, it is so soft you just wanna curl up and snuggle with it!) - but the size and shape of it, the sturdiness in it’s construction, and the fact that it’s just substantial yet comfy to walk around with! I think this, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, caught the eye of many passers by when I was about town. It really does make a great statement. It's something a little different that not many people have seen, and it peaks their curiosity and spurs them to ask questions and create a connection...and I am more than happy to tell them all about how rockin’ it - and Ethnotek - is! 

But there's more. Not only is the bag aesthetically beautiful, it is also super-functional. I LOVE that a full-sized laptop sleeve comes with it, and love even more that it has it’s very own interior zippered “spot” in which it fits snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug! This feature helps to open up the inside of the bag a TON. This is a unique feature I appreciate because usually when a bag has a spot for a laptop inside, it takes up a large part of the interior space. Not in this case. With the Dep Tote you can hardly even tell that you have your laptop in there it leaves so much room (I even forgot it was in there a few times)!


It holds my 15” MacBook Pro perfectly, and I know it’s safe because of the awesome detail with the quilted interior of the sleeve is quilted and the choice of fabric (it's hard to describe...you have to see it for yourself!). 

The outdoor-adventure, high-end more rugged materials (Tribe Scribe Note: she's referring to the 840-denier water resistant ballistic nylon components) blend seamlessly with the intricate, literally soft and rich handwoven textile! It feels stylish and classy, yet rugged adventure-ready.


To expand on the details...well, the details of this bag just kill me. There are so many features. As I explored the bag after I received it, I was blown away by all the details and great quality of craftsmanship that went into this bag - both in the construction/design of the bag, but also in the actual handcrafted textile component. The quality in craftsmanship and design really shows in the details, from the choice of shoulder strap material to the amount of padding on the straps and the type of clasps chosen. I feel like at every turn I was discovering something new! Snaps even...GAHH! One of my personal favorite design elements of the bag is the inclusion of the country flag from which this textile was made. These peeps in Ethnotek really know their stuff and it shows! You can tell it was made with pure love and a passion for design and for craft; it just emanates from the bag. 

Okay, I know this all sounds a bit over-the-top, but it's true. I am more than a little excited because I am so proud that my former six-year-old, fort-building, make-believe land-dreaming soccer buddy has created this beautiful, functional bag. I always knew Jake put his heart and soul into these bags and that they were going to be amazing, but when I received and opened the bag for the first time…my mind was BLOWN. This kid really knows what he is doing! Every inch of this bag FAR exceeded my expectations. Receiving it, opening it and feeling it for the first time was an experience in and of itself. I had never touched or used an Ethnotek bag, and I knew it was going to be good. And it has been. It has the right amount of features, yet they all so, so seamlessly and stylishly flow together. 

When I'm not using my India 8 Dep Tote, I hang it on the door knob with pride. It fits in with the feel of my abode, and fits me and my personal style perfectly. The India 8 is SO good looking! This pattern caught my eye online and I had been pining over it on the Raja packs, Wayu daypacks and Acaat messenger bags for a while now. When I was given the opportunity to experience it on the new Dep Tote I was ALL IN! There is just something about this textile and its pattern. Seeing and appreciating the beauty of the bags through visuals is one thing, but actually feeling the tangible textile in real life was SO much more than I had imagined and expected. This textile, woven by Vankar Shamji in Bhuj (Tribe Scribe Note: read Tribe member Arushi's blog post to learn more about the artisans we partner with in Bhuj), has a whole other dimension to it - this one in particular just resonates with me, and I can't get enough. 


Some poignant parting words from Kayt: 


"To me this is more than a bag...it's a reminder to be true to your heart and follow your dreams. 

If jolly, curious, imaginative, adventure-loving buddy and his buddy Josh can create all this amazing good in this world through a simple idea and goal, then we all can do it! We just have to truly believe in ourselves. Let that extra spark in your eyes and passion in your heart guide you."

Cheers for joining us in our effort to keep culture alive. Now go snag a Dep Tote for yourself...or your mother for goodness' sake! 

Tribe Scribe 

A little bit about Kayt:

Kayt Joyce currently resides in sunny Coronoado, CA, though she is a true Minnesotan at heart...of course not minding currently being a sunshine-loving SoCal transplant. Kayt would describe herself as an animal-rescuer, world list-lover, sharpie-fanatic, cheese curd-connoisseur, double-iced americano-drinker, vintage treasure-hunter, traveler, adventure-seeker, designer, FT small business owner, PT coffee cart barista, midday napper, wifey and mom to 3 fur babies, road-tripper, beachgoer, wanna-be surfer and self-proclaimed photo freak enchanted by all things in the sea. 

And, finally, Kayt says "I am proud to be part of the Tribe! Long Live Ethnotek!"

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ETK in the News: Gear Junkie and Beyond

Share this post TFUPM Posted April 12, 2013 in Adventure Mom, connection, culture, Examiner, fair-trade, Gear Junkie, storytelling, Sustainability

Despite the gloomy weather in both Vietnam and Minnesota, it's been an epic spring so far and the team at Ethnotek is getting very excited for the coming months - we have a lot of of good things coming the Tribe's way in 2013. We've also been full of gratitude to see that our media friends continue to spread the good word about Ethnotek in the most radical way: with a focus on our artisans and their stunning, time-honored craft. See below for features from our friends at Gear Junkie, The Examiner and Adventure Mom and join us in spreading the good word!

Gear Junkie

We met Patrick, from Gear Junkie at Winter Market Outdoor Retailer, and re-met him at their Minneapolis office under circumstances that can most suitably be labeled as 'misadventurous' - typical, right?! Upon arriving to the general vicinity of their office in Uptown, Minneapolis, we got stuck in the snow/ice mix while parking. After a few failed attempts at getting un-stuck, we called the guys at Gear Junkie, who came out and saved the day. Talk about an icebreaker (quite literally), right?! Fast friends. What's more, after our chat, one of their cars wouldn't start and we of course returned the favor (or at least tried - didn't help that none of us knew how to jump a car. whoops.) - isn't karma a thing of beauty (except when it's not for good, I guess)?!

We took one look at this article and smiled right away...because Gear Junkie clearly got it, which was evident in their headline of choice: "Vankar Shamji, an Indian weaver, made my pack look awesome." Patrick's final verdict? Check it out:

"With about 1,500 cu. inches of capacity and a ton of nice features, the pack is perfect for everyday work or school use. For travel it would make a great carry-on.

In a crowded marketplace, ETHNOTEK sets itself apart with a unique, feel-good cultural infusion in each pack. I have to admit, I think it’s pretty cool to actually know the name of the person who made what I’m wearing, and to know that he was paid a fair wage for his work."
 


Examiner.com

Ethnotek is so much more than a unique bag company...we'd like to think we're storytellers and connection-makers. Our experience with Marie Malinowski, freelance writer for The Examiner reminded us of this. While sitting on the floor, outside of a very crowded Ethnotek booth at Winter Market Outdoor Retailer, we had the opportunity to hear Marie's story and share the story of our artisans. Marie's a hardcore Minnesota outdoorswoman who cycles in the winter and exudes this super-cool ultimate tough-chick aura. 

What's more, Marie has a passion for brands who do good. After Outdoor Retailer, we sat down again with Marie at a Caribou in Eagan, Minnesota (coincidentally also the town where Founder Jake's mom resides and manages inventory - from her basement) for two hours to chat more and Marie recently featured Ethnotek in her "10 spring gotta haves" article under the "For all who care about ethical, fair trade practices" section. Here's our favorite excerpt:

"If you’re looking for a truly unique bag, look at an Ethnotek bag. Ethnotek is a bonfire of ethics, integrity and respect in a must-have-this-now-at-the-cheapest-price-who-cares-about-the-country-of-origin-and-how-their-(lack of)-labor-laws-coerce-workforces-to-crank-out-products-for-shockingly-low-cost-as-fast-as-inhumanly-possible."



Adventure Mom TV

We had the pleasure of meeting Kathy Dalton this summer at Outdoor Retailer as well. A well-connected, passionate woman with a kind soul and a deep interest in the art of storytelling, Kathy was immediately a new friend and member of the Tribe. Check out the video she took (below) of Founder Jake while visiting our booth, and check out her Adventure Mom website. Here's a snippet from her feature:

"For me, blogging is about more than running giveaway or scheduling family meet-ups. It’s about what brings us there.

It all comes down to the stories.

It’s the stories that I love and the people behind them.

I first connected with Ethnotek via twitter and met the team in real life at the Outdoor Retailer show in January. They are a company that is all about telling the story. Josh, co-founder of Ethnotek, brought tears to my eyes when he said to me, “When we travel, we want to hold that moment. This is what our bags are about.” It’s about saving that moment in time and holding it in our hands."




Cheers for spreading the good word, guys - we love our Tribe!

Tribe Scribe

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The Female Frontier - Tribe Adventures in South America

Share this post TFUPM Posted March 31, 2013 in Acaat, Adventure, Backpacking, connection, limited-edition, Raja, Travel, Tribe


We were first introduced to Tribe members Nikki McGee and Melanie Ford's idea to tour South America (with a focus on Chile) when we were in Salt Lake City at Winter Market Outdoor Retailer this past January. With massive amounts of energy and passion, Nikki (who is originally from Minnesota and a longtime friend of Founder Jake) told us about The Female Frontier... 

Gasp! YES. SO rad. (yep, these were our initial reactions)

Being the wanderlust souls that we are, their mission to explore uncharted territories and share these experiences with others in an attempt to educate and inspire other to explore beyond their borders, immediately resonated with us. Struck us to the core. So much so, that we wanted to drop everything and join them. But we thought, what better way to support Nikki and Mel on their journey, then to equip them with Ethnotek swag so they could celebrate and promote world culture while traveling. So we did. And it has been quite the journey for these two hardcore chicks. 

Nikki and Mel recently wrote a post on their blog about the intentions behind their travels that's definitely worth a read. To give you a little taste, here is their shared answer for the reason why they're in South America. We dig it. Duh. Here goes: 

We want to get down and dirty in the South American backcountry, where few tourists ever venture. We want to immerse ourselves in the culture so we could take a piece home to share. We want people to hear the word ‘Chile’ and think of the sky scraping Andes, frigid glaciers, and warm hospitality – not just earthquakes and trapped miners. We wanted Chile to become a travel fantasy for more than just 6-year-olds. This is why we are in Chile. By sharing these experiences, we hope to educate and inspire others to explore beyond their own borders.

So, without further ado...meet Nikki McGee and Melanie Ford! 

Tribe member and expert climber Nikki, rocking her Guatemala 2 Acaat Messenger on San Cristobal in Santiago.

Photo Credit: Jose Manuel Soto Chevesich

Nikki McGee
A 31 year-old resident of Park City, Utah, Nikki is originally from Minneapolis, MN. As an expert climber, the granite of the Wasatch and sandstone cracks of southern Utah were too much to resist. Nikki also specializes in canyoning, fly fishing, snowboarding, and any other outdoor sport she can get into. Her experience includes Outdoor Therapy for the Oakley School, snowboard instructor, and professional climbing and fly fishing guide. When not working, Nikki is usually found on vertical rock faces across America and Canada, fishing, diving, or carving up the Park City slopes.


Tribe member and expert caver Mel, rocking Team Ethnotek's Limited Edition Amaru village Peruvian Raja Pack.

Melanie Ford
Melanie is a 29 year-old from Seattle, WA. As an expert caver with eight years of experience in the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and the UK, she has professionally guided caving, hiking, and kayaking worldwide. Mel is currently employed as a seasonal park ranger for the National Park Service at Oregon Caves National Monument where she is involved in off-trail caving and search and rescue. Her off-seasons are spent in the mountains of Park City, UT, the canyons of southern Utah, or bumming across the globe. Melanie’s passions include canyoning, kayaking, hiking, travel, skiing, and violin studies.


Nikki and Mel: The Female Frontier

Nikki and Mel: thank you for allowing us to live vicariously through you while you adventure through South America. Thank you for inspiring us to think beyond our cubicles and comfort zones. Thank you for letting us tell your story, and thank you for telling our story and the story of our artisans. You are true Ethnotek Shaman (Shamanistas?!) and we are proud to sponsor you! 

To the Tribe: To close this Tribe spotlight, we'd like to thank you for constantly inspiring us, for sharing your stories, and for celebrating and promoting world culture with us. In Ralph Waldo Emerson's poignant words, "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." 

Stay tuned for future stories from Nikki and Mel's South American adventures. We're hoping to cook up a little collab. with them that would involve a visit to the Amaru village in the Pisac District of Peru (see Amaru village THREAD on Mel's Raja Pack above)...that's as much as we're divulging now. Can't wait to share more in the future. 

Family Company, Tribally Organized, Globally Engaged...

Tribe Scribe

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Share your travel story and snag some free swag!

Share this post TFUPM Posted March 28, 2013 in Facebook, free swag, storytelling, swag for stories

 

That's right, Tribe...it's Swag for Stories time! 

This past Tuesday we introduced "Tribe Tuesday" with some Swag for Stories fun. Tribe Tuesday is all about appreciation of our Tribe...highlighting what our Tribe is up to with their packs, sharing stories of the Tribe from the road, and showing our gratitude with things like the chance to snag some free swag! 

So share your favorite travel story with the Tribe by next Friday, and enter to win a Vietnam 6 Dep Sleeve for iPad mini! 

How it Works: 

1) Submit your travel story in the form of an image (tag us on instagram or Facebook) or by simply sharing it on our Facebook wall in story form.

2) Team ETK will choose a winner based on the simple criteria of: awesome/breath-stealing travel stories. Easy, right?

3) One lucky Tribe member will walk away with a new Dep Sleeve for iPad mini from our Highland Luxury Collection!

Contest ends Friday, April 29th at midnight. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter. 1, 2, 3...GO! 

Happy Sharing, 

Tribe Scribe

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Tribe Member Arushi Shares Her Story

Share this post TFUPM Posted March 16, 2013 in artisans, Arushi, Bhuj, India 8, Shamji, storytelling, Sustainability, Travel, Tribe


Namaste Tribe! Greetings from India!

I’m sure most of us have either climbed up hills and mountains (or trees!) to be awestruck by the view from the top, or travelled to far off destinations to marvel at things. But how many of us have ever felt like that on a daily basis?

I was born and raised in Mumbai, India. A city that literally never sleeps, and everyday when I wake up, I know there is something new and different about it. Having lived in the city for two-thirds of my life (as of now) I must admit that in the past, stereotypes and pre-conceived notions may have inhibited my ability to appreciate my city and its ever-evolving awesomeness.

It is said that it’s the obvious things that are the most difficult to see, just as plain as the eyes on my face. But how much of my eyes do I see, unless someone holds a mirror up to me?

Every time I go out and experience my city with someone that’s new to it, it’s a whole new city that I see. I go down streets that I’ve never walked before, see buildings and houses that I never paid any attention to, pass and notice places that I didn’t even know existed!
Everything changes! (It is true what they say about needing an outsider’s perspective. It’s like hitting the refresh button every now and then).

Arushi's masterclass - Arushi is in front row (middle) with the white shirt on, 
Jake is in the second row, third from right (goofing off in the flannel)

Just short of two years ago, I met Jake while he was working on bringing Ethnotek to the world, and was fortunate enough to make a trip to Bhuj and meet with some extremely skilled weavers and craftspeople. It was an eye opening and humbling experience that heavily influenced my view on crafts in my country.

Common misconceptions throughout urban India are that artisans and craftspeople are doing what they do, because they are not educated and have no other means of livelihood. Wrong. Women in rural India are not given the same respect as women in urban India. Wrong again.

Shamji's Home in Bhujodi

Over the span of the few days I spent out in the weaving village of Bhujodi, I heard and saw a lot – but two comments made by a weaver Shamji, will stick with me forever.

“Anyone can study and work at a bank in the city”, he said, “but how many can come to my village and do what I do? Weaving is in my blood and I’ve grown up next to the loom. One can’t learn that, it’s a gift.” And “Our weaving process starts and ends with our women. Without them nothing is possible.”

Shamji surrounded by fabric that he lives and breathes.


A female member of Shamji’s family spreads thread out on this frame to assemble the warp for the looms.

I thought about how awesome it would be if many more could be exposed to the same perspective and point of view – but found one glitch. We’re so sure of what we’ve learnt as children, rights and wrongs that were drilled into us, or stories we’ve heard all our lives, that we don’t feel the need to go out and challenge that view.

Today, I’d like to also share the story of a friend who made me question the box I’ve put myself in. This is Hannah's story. 



Even as all across the country, Indian women worry about their safety on a simple trip to the market in the evening, and cycling on the streets is equated to ‘you might as well go kill yourself’ – this determined lady cycled all by herself across 600 kilometres of south India on a bicycle over the span of 3 weeks; taking in the landscape, people and culture as she went along. 

  
landscape, people, culture

Reliving her experience through one of our conversations, she recalled that a lot of people (such as myself) warned her of the dangers of being a lone female traveller with only a cycle and bag pack at her rescue. She heard the warnings and stories with patience, and even though she’s someone who enjoys her own company, she invited friends along on her cycling expedition. But with friends that were unable to make it, she was left with 2 options – skip the trip, or go solo.

As Hannah said, “You could be walking on the street in broad daylight and something could happen to you – so I don’t know. I just feel like its better to live. I think most people in my experience have been amazing and friendly and you meet the warmest people doing something that’s maybe a little off.”

Everyone gave her stereotypical warnings before she left like ‘don’t talk to strangers’. She calls it stupid and funny advice. “What do you mean don’t talk to strangers? There’s only going to be strangers from this point on, I have to talk to everybody”.

Hannah used google maps to create a route for her adventure.

Using google maps (a tool accessible to all of us) she planned her route in advance, booking home stays for every night. Armed with a 3G-equipped iPad and 3 mobile phones (all of which managed to lose cellular reception together, she adds) she set off on this adventure. 

 
At Guddadamane family’s courtyard and Kolavera Heritage Homestay, where Hannah stayed.

Encountering truckers that drove her off the road and creepily followed her as well as sweet old ladies inviting her to share a meal with them; wide-eyed youngsters amazed at her iPad and a bed between the cow shed and the tool shed, she had an unforgettable trip. 

The white roofed hut at the edge of the fields is where Hannah called 'home' for a night or two.

She experienced India in a way most Indians haven’t; by giving people and their goodness the benefit of the doubt. Experiencing Indian hospitality first hand as several people (economically far worse off than her) invited her to eat with them and let them cook her a meal. People came out of their homes and stood with her under a shelter in the pouring rain, just to have a chat and know more about what she was doing.

Caretakers of a home-stay where she stopped over in Haalkere.

What’s most amazing is that my friend Hannah, is not Indian. She doesn’t speak any of the south Indian languages, or even Hindi for that matter. But THAT is what allowed her to make this trip in the first place – free from a mindset full of preconceived notions most Indians would have. Having lived between the USA and India for the past 3 years, she describes this trip as her fondest memory of India. Experience the adventures through her Cycle Shakti blog (The Hindi word ‘Shakti’ means strength). 

 

Jake and Hannah got me questioning the stereotypes in my head, and helped me see my country in a new way. I gained a fresh perspective to my world and even started defining myself better.

So, what does this all mean to you? I encourage you to - urge you to - try something new in your city/town/country or something that may be too normal and usual for you to have paid attention to it in the first place. Experience a different pace of life. I promise you will be surprised, excited and enamored JUST the same way you are at the top of a mountain ;). 



"One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things" – Henry Miller

If you're a Tribe member interested in writing for our blog, feel free to email us at pr(at)ethnotekbags.com. We'd love to hear from you. 

Open your mind and heart to new things and new people...

The Tribe Scribe


A little bit about the guest Tribe writer, Arushi:

Here's a picture of Arushi from the hills in front of her great grandmother's home where she stays while working with the village women on saree blankets.

Arushi is an Indian product designer who likes to define herself as a "people-centered designer and maker". She never ceases to be amazed by the wonders India beholds. She's not exaggerating when she describes India in saying that the people, language/dialect, food and crafts change literally every 100-200 kilometers. Arushi is currently working with a group of women in omen in rural Maharashtra to empower them to be more economically independent through making what they know best - 'godhdis' - traditional quilts made from old sarees. In Arushi's words: "It's an amazing and challenging experience, as I fill several roles - sales and marketing person, funds manager, designer, counsellor, delivery woman and friend!" She loves handmade things and is intrigued about the story behind each item...in fact, her happy place is full of every conceivable craft supply on earth. 

Follow Arushi's blog, or check out her design portfolio. 

We leave you with these powerful words from Arushi herself: 

"We all go through everyday with preconceived notions – notions of how it is, how it should be, what will happen next and many more. That’s why we go through every day and don’t really live it."

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The Osani Circle Game

Share this post TFUPM Posted February 26, 2013 in community, connection, Inspiration, storytelling, Tribe


“When people see this image, it draws their attention. When they read what it’s about, they fall in love.

We came across this image and the story behind the Osani Circle Game a few weeks back on Tribe member Emilee's Facebook wall, and it definitely caught our eye. For obvious reasons. The story that was circulating the social media world differed a bit from the story we found when we dug a little bit deeper. In each of the stories we found, though, we learned something. And, in the spirit of celebrating and promoting world culture, we thought we'd take the time to share it with our Tribe. Here goes. 

The story circulating on Facebook taught us that we are much better when we work as a team and think about the community before ourselves. It taught us that we can achieve so much more when we approach situations with the mindset that we are a team and focus on cooperation rather than competition. This is a message that resonated with us, too, when watching the documentary I AM.

"Today I read a story about an anthropologist who proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad? Ubuntu in the Xhosa culture means 'I am because we are'."

The story of the Osani Circle Game (courtesy of Connecting Dotz) goes as follows:
Efé children of the Ituri Forest in Zaire (Rep. of Congo, central Africa) begin the Osani game by sitting in a circle, feet touching, all connected. Osani is the Efé word for love. Each child in turn names a round object like the sun (oi), the moon (tiba), a star (bibi) an eye (ue) and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round” like the circle of the family, togetherness, a baby in the womb, or the cycle of the moon. As players fail to come up with a term that is “circular” they are eliminated from the game. Eventually, only one remains. Tradition has it that this player will live a long and prosperous life.

What we love so much about this concept is the connectedness these children covet, and the closeness of this community. The very game is about a circle of connection and togetherness...of community and creativity, and enjoying each other's company and celebrating the different perspectives each of them bring to the circle. 

While researching the web to learn more behind this image and its story, we came across Marisa Ranieri's Tanzanaia 365 blog and were drawn in by her words:

"Regardless of which story moves you the most, they all maintain a similar trope. Loyalty, and success and/or failure as a group becomes more important than the goals and/or possibilities of any one individual. In Kenya, my friends and I always used to say tunakaa pamoja which means both 'we stay together' and 'we stay as one'."

Can you imagine how much better the world would be if everyone lived by this motto?"

Tribe: we'd like to echo Marisa's sentiments, and we'd like to leave you with that very question. What would the world be like if we all lived by the motto tunakaa pamoja or ubuntu and focused on working together for the greater good, rather than against each other for the good of ourselves? That's why we feel blessed to be a part of something bigger...to be a part of a Tribe that focuses beyond ourselves and rather on doing good for the whole, and celebrating the differences in this world. 

Tunakaa pamoja / Ubuntu, 

The Tribe Scribe


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Letters from the Tribe: Tet Holiday Adventures

Share this post TFUPM Posted February 11, 2013 in culture, social responsibility, Socially Responsible, Sustainability, Tet holiday, Tribe, Vietnam

This ETK Blog post is brought to you by Cori Orak, via the Tribe Scribe. Cori was the first official member of the Tribe, and is Founder and Head Bag Designer Jake's leading lady. Cori has been Jake's muse in many respects, and thus has been extremely influential in the design process. We are beyond-honored and happy to welcome Cori as a guest writer on the ETK Blog. Cori's perspective on life in Vietnam is invaluable, and she shares the same passion for cultural appreciation, social responsibility and sustainability in this time-honored craft.


Greetings Tribe!! Seeing as this is my fifth year of living in Vietnam and my fourth time experiencing TET, I thought it would be fun to share one of my most memorable TET experiences, through the lens of cultural appreciation. The most inspiring, fun and informational TET I’ve ever been honored to experience happened two years ago when a Vietnamese teaching assistant and good friend of mine, Tam, offered to have me join her on a trip to her home town near Phan Thiet. Her family was excited to host an American for dinner, as they had never hosted anyone other than their family during this special holiday.

The holiday started out with an early visit to the flower show which is held every year on Nguyen Hue Street, showcasing all of the beautiful flowers from throughout Vietnam and a huge display resembling the upcoming animal of the year (that particular year it was the year of the cat). 


Following flower street, we met up with Tam (my teaching assistant) and her brother - getting ready to start the road trip from Saigon to Phan Thiet, which is approximately 120 miles. 


The night of our arrival was spent meeting the family and heading to bed early, which of course leads to an early rise the following morning. After a brisk bucket shower, it was straight to work with preparations for the New Year. It’s tradition to clean the house on the last day of the year to make sure you welcome in the New Year with a ‘clean slate’. While we were running errands I witnessed a few beautiful elderly ladies both making and enjoying areca nut and the betel leaf, which you can learn more about HERE. 



After picking up some fresh ingredients for dinner, we stopped and enjoyed a café sua da- which is Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk and is the strongest and sweetest caffeinated beverage I’ve ever had! Once we were buzzed up and ready for the second half of the day we purchased two sunflowers to place on either side of the front door. 




That evening, everyone took turns taking showers. In fact, it's a tradition, in addition to cleaning the house, every member of the family needs to shower before midnight - to wash away the previous year.

At the end of the day, the father of the house prays to the ancestors. It is his job to give thanks for his entire family. Most households have at least one personal alter dedicated to relatives who have passed away. 

In the hours leading up to the New Year, family members sit around the house, sharing beers and playing cards. We played a form of black jack, poker and bingo. At around 11:30pm we took off and headed out to find a good location to view the fireworks. 






The following morning, which was the first day of the New Year was my favorite day of the trip. We spent the morning walking door-to-door visiting relatives, praying with them and enjoying their company. Every house prepares picnic style food and brings it out for each guest. We all sat on the floor and they shared stories and laughter (of course most of it was in Vietnamese so naturally I just sat, smiled and ate everything I could get my hands on). Each house has five altars, when you enter the house, you grab five pieces of incense and go to each alter, pray and move on to the next. This is done before you get to enjoy each other’s company and the great food.

 


Once we had made an appearance at every family members house (and about six hours had past) we headed out to the largest pagoda in the area, which Tam’s father works at. When you arrive you have the opportunity to purchase a packet of donations and incense to bring into the pagoda to give thanks.

I lit my 11 incense sticks and went to the various altars to pray for my family, health and happiness. I was filled with such emotion I can not even really convey it through words. 

I was then taken to the biggest alter, which was built for a husband and wife. In fact, the entire pagoda was built in their honor thanking them for their kindness and compassion. 


I sat down in front of their alter, and was given these two wooden blocks that when held together resembled a tamarind fruit/seed. I held these to my forehead and prayed. It is a prayer, which is treated as a wish. Following this, you drop the blocks and if they land in a certain way, your wish and prayer will come true.  

I made my wish dropped the blocks and they came up with no luck. However...you are given three chances to make this wish/prayer. On my second turn I did the entire routine again, placed them to my forehead, made my prayer, dropped the blocks and...SUCCESS! They landed the correct way, which meant my wish will be granted (and looking back on this memory, it was - undoubtedly - granted).

This was followed by standing in line behind the main monk who gave me two bits of yellow paper: one was already folded and the other I folded around the first. This, he said, should be carried with me at all times for luck, happiness and safety. It was such a beautiful way to wrap up a beautiful trip; I was truly honored and humbled by being provided with this amazing opportunity.


It’s funny, people often ask me what has kept me in Vietnam for so long, and I feel as though it can’t be explained or described through mere words...you must come here and experience the culture first-hand. When we first arrived here in 2006 we were awestruck. There were highs and lows, frustrations and joys, and we thought we were only in it for six months to a year. It means the absolute world to me that Jake has fallen in love with Vietnam just as strongly as I have, and has created and nurtured a vision that enables us to share and celebrate this culture with the world.

I also feel pretty lucky to have a front row seat to the entire process and experience. When we went to the Cham village of Phan Rang (Tháp Chàm), we were left speechless time and time again. 

  


The beauty and dedication that goes into the woven work here in Vietnam is nothing short of amazing, and seeing the pride and fulfillment shining through the communities Ethnotek works with fills my heart completely. It’s easily assumed that I’m the number 1 fan (some may even say obsessed) of Ethnotek, due to the fact that I’m married to man who made it happen...but the truth is, I’d be the number 1 fan no matter who created this company.

In the past, I spent a few months in Tanzania teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education, and volunteering here in both a Vietnamese orphanage and cancer hospital. People, culture and sharing knowledge are the highest priorities in my life, and it’s important to me to stand behind companies that not only matter, but also consider and respect every element of the creative process. Every person counts.



Cheers to Cori for the extremely valued perspective! 

Chúc mừng năm mới - Happy Tet Holiday and Chinese new Year Tribe! Cori's closing line is so simple, yet so incredibly important - every person counts. If everyone lived life with this perspective, the world would be a more beautiful, peaceful place. 

Cori, THANK YOU.

Tribe Scribe

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