Habesha clothing,
direct from the makers
Finding authentic habesha kemis outside Ethiopia has meant overpaying at a boutique, navigating unreliable Facebook groups, or asking a relative to carry something back. Derbaba connects diaspora buyers directly with sellers in Addis Ababa — no intermediary, no markup.
The problem we are solving
Ethiopian and Eritrean traditional clothing — habesha kemis, netela, tibeb-bordered shawls, men's ceremonial tunics — is produced by skilled weavers concentrated in Shiro Meda, Gondar, Tigray, and Harari. Those weavers have world-class craft and almost no direct access to the millions of diaspora buyers in Toronto, Washington DC, London, and beyond.
Derbaba is the infrastructure layer between them. A seller in Addis Ababa lists a kemis for $85. A buyer in Toronto sees it, messages the seller on WhatsApp, and places an order. The seller ships it directly. No boutique markup. No middleman taking 30%. The weaver gets paid what their work is worth.
We surveyed all 146 shops in the directory in person and published what they actually charge, how long they take, and what they make. Read the habesha kemis market survey.
Who we serve
We built Derbaba for two groups. First, the diaspora buyer — second- or third-generation Ethiopian and Eritrean families in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe who want authentic traditional dress for weddings, Enkutatash, Timkat, and everyday celebrations, and who currently have no reliable way to find it.
Second, the Ethiopian seller — the weaver at a loom in Shiro Meda, the atelier in Addis Ababa drawing on traditions from Gondar and Tigray. These are small businesses that deserve a professional digital storefront and a direct line to serious buyers.
Our principles
Every seller on Derbaba lists their own pieces and communicates directly with buyers via WhatsApp or Telegram. There is no intermediary taking a cut — the full price goes to the maker.
Our founding sellers were visited in person in Addis Ababa and consented to be listed. Sellers can now also join directly and list their own shops. A verified badge marks the sellers whose identity and business we have additionally confirmed.
Listings are priced by sellers in USD, CAD or ETB. There are no hidden import markups. A flat $5 listing fee — no commission on sales, ever.
We are building for a community that takes its dress seriously. Habesha kemis carries meaning — ceremony, identity, ancestry. We treat that with the respect it deserves.
Ready to buy or sell?
Whether you are looking for the perfect habesha kemis or you want to list your pieces and reach diaspora buyers worldwide, Derbaba is the place to start.