Heritage in Every Thread : The Art of Sabahar

At Salted Roots, we’re drawn to objects that transcend function to become fragments of identity, pieces that travel across time and cultures, blending African traditions with contemporary aesthetics. Today, we journey to Ethiopia to discover Sabahar, a weaving house where ancestral craft meets modern design.

Sabahar: Ethiopian Weaving Reimagined

In the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, where history and modernity intersect at every corner, Sabahar weaves more than fabrics, it weaves stories. Founded in 2004 by Kathy Marshall, the brand was born with a singular mission: to preserve Ethiopia’s rich weaving heritage while introducing it to the contemporary world.

Heritage Threaded Through Every Weave

Weaving in Ethiopia is a time-honored art passed down through generations, often represented by iconic pieces like the netela and gabi. At Sabahar, artisans still work on traditional looms with hand-spun threads, creating fabrics with a character all their own, each piece entirely unique.

Where Tradition Meets Modern Design

What makes Sabahar exceptional is its ability to merge ancestral patterns and textures with clean lines and modern color palettes. From organic cotton scarves to delicately woven throws and softly tinted table linens, every creation radiates understated elegance.

Craft with Purpose

More than 200 artisans, many of them women, bring these creations to life. Sabahar ensures fair wages and equitable working conditions while sourcing fibers locally, supporting rural economies and keeping environmental impact low.

At Salted Roots, we celebrate this dialogue between past and present, objects that carry the soul of a continent while feeling at home in contemporary interiors. Sabahar embodies this philosophy: rooted yet forward-looking, traditional yet designed, memorable yet modern. Bringing a piece into your home is to invite this conversation between worlds, beautiful, tangible, and meaningful.

In Your Space

A Sabahar throw or blanket transforms any room. Draped over a linen sofa, it adds warmth and texture; hung as a wall tapestry, it becomes a textile story of skilled, patient hands.

✨ Why We Love Sabahar:

• The perfect fusion of ancient craftsmanship and minimalist design.
• Strong ethical and ecological values.
• Timeless pieces that complement both a New York loft and a boho-chic living room.

📍 Discover: sabahar.com | Instagram: @sabahar_ethiopia