

The lapa (fanti in Mende) is woven with meaning and tradition. It is more than just fabric in the African Diaspora. For the Mende and Vai people of Sierra Leone, the lapa is an essential part of everyday life. For me, it’s the timeless bond to my mother; safety. Worn during celebrations, daily life, and rites of passage, the lapa carries legacies of generations connecting us to our roots and the fortitude of my community.