21/07/2026
As part of our 35th birthday celebrations, I've been digging through old photos from our archives, forgotten folders on CDs (remember those?) and trawling through articles about Tribal from years gone by.
Of course, Tribal started back in 1991, long before digital cameras, cloud storage and smartphones, so plenty of our history has simply been lost to time. What we have managed to find has been a real treat.
I'll be honest... these photos are probably far more exciting to us than they are to everyone else. We've spent ages zooming in on faces asking, "Is that...?" and laughing at just how baby-faced everyone looked.
Then there was the old workshop! The sheer size of it. The number of people working there. Row upon row of products being made for customers around the world. It's a reminder of just how much shopping habits have changed over the last three decades. We used to produce huge orders for artisan retailers, many of which sadly no longer exist, lost to changing retail trends, the financial crisis and, more recently, Covid. Looking back really puts into perspective just how much Tribal has adapted over the years.
One of our favourite discoveries was seeing how many familiar faces are still here today. Kennedy, who started working alongside Gillie all those years ago (1995), is still part of the workshop.
The photos brought back memories of people who sadly aren't with us anymore. Moses Musa was one of the very first people to join Gillie and was the life and soul of the workshop. He helped build Tribal into what it is today, and he'll always be part of its story.
Looking back reminds us that while our designs have evolved, one thing hasn't changed. Tribal has always been about people. The talented hands behind every piece, the friendships built over decades, and everyone who has supported us along the way, from interns to shop visitors.
To everyone who has been part of our story over the last 35 years, thank you. Whether you've worked here, visited us, bought something for your home, or simply followed our journey, you've helped keep Tribal going for hopefully another generation!
On a separate note... because birthdays should come with presents... ours is 35% off online! Use code 35YEARS for 35% off order via our online website.
Thank you for helping us celebrate 35 years.
www.TribalTextilesAfrica.com
