ABOUT US

We're at a very unique crossroad in world history.  We've been witness to the effects of colonialism. We've seen how HIStory has shaped our perception of self. Now that we know more of OURstory, we can stand in real truth and change the trajectory of our lives. We believe the relentless reinforcement of OUR truth will counter the effects of mental, spiritual and economic colonialism. We're perpetuating a decolonization culture.

Change minds! Our philosophy is steeped in the tradition of our ancestors; our story and tradition was handed down from generation to generation. We're one tribe and we want each member to be modern day griots (truth tellers) of our culture. Wearing or using ọṣọ aṣa products will convey boldly that we are united wherever we are and we belong wherever we plant our feet. Our brand speaks for you. We say it loud.

OUR MISSION

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Decolonize minds and preserve our culture by spreading love across the diaspora.

OUR BRAND

Why We're here.

Yoruba inspired after our founder's ancestry. The Yoruba is a language, a culture and a peoples. The language is spoken by over 30 million people and has influences dialects across the African diaspora globally; making it the mostly widely spoken African language outside of the continent. It was orally passed down for generations until colonists, in the 18th century, documented it. 
ọṣọ translates into "decolonization," "wealth" and "prosperous." We'll adopt them all. aṣa translates in to "culture" or "tradition." Hence our name and translation; decolonization culture. In the tradition of the griots , Johan's family ancestry was orally passed down from generation to generation. He is a descendant of JaJa of Opobo; Chieftain, leader, revolutionary. We're claiming that heritage and conveying it on every garment we produce!

If you look closely, our logo resembles a face with Yoruba tribal marks under the "o's" or eyes.  The marks or scarring, we were told, became tribal tradition but it originated as a result of the slave trade. Yoruba families marked their children in the event that they were captured by colonizers and slave traders. The premise being, that they would recognize their children, family, tribe or village members by the scarring on their face during slavery. A reminder that we belong somewhere, that we are seen, that we are missed, that we are loved.

Today, as descendants and survivors of the colonial condition we will recognize each other. We see you. ọṣọ aṣa.