About YARA AFRICAN FABRICS, LLC
Located in the heart of Harlem, New York City, Yara African Fabrics, LLC specializes in a beautiful assortment of rich African patterns and colors. Woven Mud Cloth, Wax Print, Batik, Tie Dye, and Brocade are just a few of the many styles that are offered by us.
Capture the essence of Africa with some of the top designs in African fashion.
MOCTAR YARA – PRESIDENT
Moctar Yara, the proud owner of Yara African Fabrics, LLC started this shop more than 15 years ago. Yara Fabrics has since grown into a wholesale supplier with a warehousing facility in the Bronx, Manhattan. The retail shop at Central Harlem on 125th Street draws all the textile lovers in, with its supply of vibrant colored and versatile patterned Authentic African Fabrics. Designers large and small come from all over to order fabrics.
Moctar Yara is a Native from Mali and came to New York in January 1992. With his experience of selling textiles in his village, back at home (Djema, Mali), he easily fell right into the line of fabric and jewelry vendors along 125th Street. The small business gradually turned into a neighborhood staple, and that is how Yara opened the doors of a retail shop in 1999.
Source:- Accion in the U.S.
Source:- Voices of NY
African Symbols
Below we have displayed a few of the most significant African Symbols and their meanings.
These are usually the vibrant designs that you see in our African Fabrics.
ADINKRAHENE
“Chief of the adinkra symbols” | symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership |
ANANSE NTONTAN
“spider’s web” | symbol of wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life |
DENKYEM
“crocodile” | symbol of adaptability |
DONO NTOASO
Symbol of unity and agreement.
DWENNIMMEN
“ram’s horns” | symbol of humility together with strength |
EBAN
“fence” | symbol of love, safety and security |
FIHANKRA
“house/compound” | symbol of security and safety |
GYE NYAME
“except for God” | symbol of the supremacy of God |
KEERAPA
A sign of sanctity and good fortune.
KWATAKYE ATIKO
“hair style of an Asante war captain” | symbol of bravery and valor |
MMRA KRADO
A Seal of the Court. A sign of authority an legitimacy of the law.
MPUANNUM
“five tufts” (of hair) | symbol of priestly office, loyalty and adroitness |
NKYINKYIM
“twisting” | symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility |
NKONSONKONSON
“chain link” | symbol of unity and human relations |
NSOROMMA
“child of the heavens [stars] ” | symbol of guardianship |
NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO
“God is in the heavens” | symbol of hope |
OHENE NIWA
Symbol of warning against jealousy.
OSRAM NE NSOROMMA
“The Moon and the Star” | symbol of love, faithfulness, harmony |
OWO FORO ADOBE
“snake climbing the raffia tree” | symbol of steadfastness, prudence and diligence |
SANKOFA
“return and get it” | symbol of importance of learning from the past |