Namaste

Namaste is a leading wholesale & retail company specializing in fairly traded Home & Gifts, Incense, Home Furnishings, Furniture, Clothing, Accessories & Jewellery imported from the developing world. Namaste is a small company with a strong ethical policy that is based upon the belief that the best way to reduce poverty in the developing world is through trade. Namaste is recognised by BAFTS, the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers as a Fair Trade importer.

Fair Trade must be competitively priced and commercially successful. Just because products embody fair trade principles does not mean they are expensive. The company believes that the best way to help disadvantaged producers is to work with them in partnership through mutually beneficial and long term trade. Namaste looks to buy from small scale producers who use largely natural materials and traditional techniques to produce interesting and beautiful articles. It works with over 100 producers who have grown and developed with Namaste for almost 20 years ago.

The inspiration for Namaste came from a 6 month long road trip through India on ex- Indian army Enfield Bullet motorbikes in 1995. After an amazing trek from Kathmandu to Mount Everest in the wake of the worst storms for a generation, the founders of Namaste decided that India was best seen from the seat of a bike. Sleeping under the stars by the side of the road most nights, they were amazed by the incredible kindness and hospitality of the local people and quickly developed a fascination with and a passion for this amazing country. While in Rajasthan, they met an owner of a small textile business. He proudly showed them his collection and suggested they return home to set up a business. Lives were changed by this chance encounter and the business was named after the popular greeting “Namaste.” Some say it simply means “hello and welcome,” but a better translation is “I greet the spirit within you.”

Namaste has been selling fairly traded rugs from India for many years. The company has taken the extra step of GoodWeave certification for all of their Indian rugs to provide the added reassurance of a totally independent monitoring body.

For more information, visit www.namaste-uk.com