Zainab Sumu Primitive Modern

Zainab Sumu Primitive Modern combines the indigenous and avant-garde to showcase the diverse cultural wealth of Africa.

Zainab features a country in Africa for each collection and creates a design theme based on the country’s unique culture. Inspired by a love of textiles, art, architecture, music, dance, African tradition and lifestyle, Zainab believes in an aesthetic where tradition, modernity and elegant imperfections collide.

Zainab strives to design items that are versatile, timeless, and functional. She seeks to create emotional and aesthetic resonance between each piece and its owner.

Featured Collection

Gnawa Collection

Gnawa music is poetry in motion. It is transcendental, nostalgic, hypnotic and melodic.

Gnawa music uses three traditional instruments:
- Sintir or guembri: 3-stringed percussive lute played by a Maâlem
- Qraqeb: large metal castanets
- Ganga: drums

I listened to the music each day and interpreted aspects of the music and its culture in my drawings; the rhythm as it flows through the instruments, the subtle and swooping movements and explosion of the distinct sounds.

The fashion worn by musicians, detailed embroideries, and cowrie shells are all aspects I incorporated in the artwork presented in the artisanal collection, objects, scarves, and watercolors.

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