The Seed that Dreams of Becoming a Tree
It was May 2020. Everywhere was quiet, filled with dread and indecision. COVID-19 had shut everything down. Nevertheless, in the midst of that darkness, I chose to forge my own path. I could not explain why, but I knew I had to begin something, even if no one else believed in it.
I Called it Danneh (which means seed). I had loved that name since I was a child, but the real reason went deeper. I felt like a seed: small, beneath the earth, alone. I hoped that if I waited and worked hard enough, one day I would sprout and emerge from beneath the earth. The first days were tough. I often told myself that perhaps I would never get anywhere. Sales were one thing, but believing in the possibility of moving forward was even harder. Yet, every time, I whispered to myself:
I sit, waiting for the affection of the sun…
The sun’s paws
plowing
the dry soil that sees no spring…
plowing,
turning it over,
placing seeds
in the slumbering house of my soul.
covering them in some soil,
Then it rains,
from tears,
from joy.
The pain sitting upon the gain…
And I…
wait,
watch the sun and the moon…
asking myself…
every second, every minute,
“Will it sprout?”
Two major concerns occupied my mind: art and the environment. I wanted to make the two intertwine with each other. It occurred to me that if I could make handcrafted products that were both beautiful and respectful to nature, maybe my path would be right. That was when the fabric bags and products with handmade, unique illustrations were born. None of them were the same, as I refused to be like a printing press or a factory. I wanted everyone who chose Danneh to feel they owned something unique, just as themselves.
Now, five years later, when I look back at the journey, the struggles are far from over. I still stumble quite a bit. But each time, I remind myself: I planted this seed to one day become a sapling, then a tree, and eventually provide shade and blessings for others.
To me, Danneh is more than just a brand; it is a part of my life and my dream.
To me, Danneh is not just art and beauty; it means respect for the environment. Every product I create is designed with the earth and living things in mind. By offering fabric bags and products, I have strived to find a suitable alternative to plastic bags and both natural and synthetic leather so that neither animals nor the environment are harmed for our tastes or trends. When you choose a Danneh product, you are not only getting a functional piece of art but also supporting the earth and the future of nature.
