Our Story

Danaqa is a brand showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship by exceptional artisans and supporting women-led businesses in developing countries.

Danaqa celebrates and supports:

• handmade products and craftsmanship

• women-led businesses

• quality and design in all our products

After 12 years living in working in countries such as Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Namibia and Tanzania husband and wife, David and Nadia decided to combine their passion and 20 years combined experience of international development, and the traditional handcraft skills and products that they had discovered, into a new ethical lifestyle brand.  Launching in 2011 in London’s Notting Hill area, the business built a wide customer base of people who appreciate their quality, unique and handmade product, and love to discover the stories they have to tell.

The name Danaqa means ‘pleasantly surprised’ in Amharic, chosen to reflect the feeling our customers have when discovering the high quality, well-designed products made by female artisans in developing countries.

Danaqa has a mission in bringing to market artisan produced items from rural communities, working with women’s groups, Fairtrade Companies and other producer groups and local businesses. 

The business changed ownership in November 2018 with Glenn and Debbie from Eachday Shared Ltd in Stroud, Gloucestershire aiming to carry on the mission and build upon the hard work done to date .