The Nana Benz: The Queens of African Wax Print

In this month dedicated to celebrating women, we highlight those who changed the history of wax print fabric. Women with an ambition for success whose audacity transformed the textile industry: the Nana Benz.

Origins and Rise: From Lomé Markets to Dutch Factories

As we know from the France Culture podcast, wax print fabric originated in Indonesia. This rich fabric, however, traveled a lot before reaching the hands of the ambitious women we know. The Dutch held a certain exclusivity over it and produced it en masse before selling it in Africa through intermediaries.

In the 1940s-1950s, visionary women from Aného, in southern Togo, negotiated exclusive contracts with European manufacturers such as Vlisco and Arnold Brunnschweiler & Company, thus bypassing intermediaries to control the supply chain.

Their nickname "Nana Benz" comes from the affectionate term "Nana" (mother) in the Mina language and Mercedes-Benz, a symbol of their success.

Power Strategies: Monopolies and Speaking Motifs

Thanks to their negotiating power, they climbed the ranks of power and were able to obtain exclusivity for certain patterns. Not only were they highly competent businesswomen, but also great creators. Indeed, they also invented evocative names for their fabrics, such as "My Rival's Eye" or "My Husband is Capable," reflecting social messages about male-female relationships.

Cultural and Political Influence: Feminist Icons

Beyond commerce, the Nana Benz broke the codes of a patriarchal society. Their economic success allowed them to finance political parties and support Togo's independence.

Their luxurious lifestyle – villas, studies abroad for their children, business trips – inspired generations of women to claim their autonomy. These women are a true source of inspiration for women of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Maman Creppy: A Living Legend

An emblematic figure, Dédé Rose Gamélé Creppy embodied this epic. She passed away in 2023 at the age of 89, having passed on her knowledge to her daughter Yvette Sivomey, now a partner of Vlisco. Her journey, from bead trading to millionaire status, symbolizes the resilience and strategic intelligence of the Nana Benz.

A Timeless Model

The Nana Benz are not just traders; they are pioneers of women's emancipation in Africa. Their journeys illustrate the importance of audacity, solidarity, and culture in achieving success.

Today, entrepreneurial initiatives like our brand, WaxBazaar, perpetuate this heritage.

"A Nana Benz is a woman who helped Togo and Africa through her hard work" – Dédé Rose Creppy