Last, Legendary Wax Cloth Trader Leaves Legacy for Africa

Dédé Rose Gamélé Creppy was one of West Africa's most influential wax cloth traders. She was the youngest, and the last living, "Nana Benz" - the legendary first generation of women cloth traders from Togo, reports Nina Sylvanus for The Conversation. She was 89 when she died.

She was part of the first generation of women cloth traders who played a pivotal role in the success of wax cloth in West Africa. Wax cloth, introduced by European manufacturers, became popular due to its vibrant colors, durability, and patterns with symbolic messages. Maman Creppy's entrepreneurial savvy and exclusive rights to patterns made her and the Nana Benzes highly influential and wealthy.

However, the decline of the Nana Benzes began with currency devaluation and the liberalization of the economy. The price increase of wax cloth turned it into a luxury item, and Chinese counterfeits entered the market. Changes in distribution, such as Unilever's withdrawal, further impacted their trade.

Maman Creppy's legacy lives on through her daughter, Yvette Sivomey, who continues the cloth trade and collaborates with manufacturers to revive old patterns. Maman Creppy's remarkable story as a Nana Benz and her contributions to the wax cloth industry are cherished and preserved through her daughter's work.