In the heart of social responsibility and economic inclusivity, Stoka stands as a beacon of change. Stoka connects consumers with unique, handcrafted products. These products originate from traditional and rural artisans, indigenous tribes, and persons with disabilities (PWD). Stoka aims to promote a more inclusive economy while celebrating the diversity of craftsmanship and heritage.
Born out of a vision to create a marketplace that transcends commerce, Stoka champions a more inclusive economy. Stoka goes beyond offering exquisite, one-of-a-kind products. It actively promotes sustainable development and empowerment for marginalized communities. Stoka's mission is to make a positive impact beyond the realm of business.
In a world that often values speed and efficiency over the stories behind the products, Stoka stands out as a company. Stoka embraces diversity, inclusion, and the rich tapestry of human creativity. When you support Stoka, you not only acquire unique, handcrafted treasures but also contribute to preserving cultural heritage and empowering marginalized communities. Stoka is more than just a business; it's a movement toward a more inclusive and interconnected world.
Stoka collaborates with indigenous tribes, bringing forth unique products that encapsulate the spirit of their communities. Through these collaborations, Stoka not only preserves cultural heritage but also ensures that the benefits of the sales directly reach these communities. This approach fosters a sense of pride and appreciation for their products, encouraging the continuation of these traditions for generations to come.
Stoka is dedicated to empowering artisans and takes pride in this commitment. By directly sourcing products from community enterprises of skilled artisans, Stoka ensures a sustainable income for these individuals. Every piece narrates a tale of tradition and craftsmanship, fostering a connection between consumers and the profound cultural heritage embedded in each creation.
Stoka is dedicated to fostering inclusivity by actively engaging PWDs in the creative process. Through collaboration with vocational training centres and organizations focused on or led by PWDs, Stoka creates a platform for these to display their skills. Stoka acknowledges and appreciates the talents of PWDs. Through this recognition, Stoka not only provides economic empowerment but also fosters a sense of pride and independence.
The box is crafted using the leftover materials from Artisanspride. The scraps generated during the procurement or production of lacware products are repurposed to create this box. As a result, one may observe varying colours in different sections of the box.
The box is designed for reusability, serving as a versatile storage solution for pens, pencils, brushes, and makeup items. It can also be used as stand for displaying small decorative items. We encourage all our customers to adopt sustainable living practices by reusing this box rather than discarding it, contributing to environmental conservation.
Honey and Turmeric are sourced from the Soliga Community in BR Hills. The Soligas, are an indigenous tribe dwelling in and around BR Hills for generations. They have cultivated a lifestyle deeply rooted in their profound connection with the forest. They fulfil their essential needs, including tubers, leaves, fruits, flowers, medicinal plants etc by coexisting harmoniously with the forest. They also harvest Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as honey, lichen, amla, soap nut, and more. The prohibition of shifting cultivation which Soliga community used to practice, under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, compelled them to adopt conventional agricultural methods. The tribe has been trained in the Ahimsa Forest Honey Collection (AFHC) method for honey extraction. Presently, the Soligas depend on NTFPs and agricultural yields as their primary sources of income.
Candle Holder and the Fridge Magnet are sourced from Artisanpride in Channapatna, Karnataka. It’s a producer company of 250 artisans as members. They trained and inducted women into the craft for the first time in a traditionally male-dominated practice. They use natural dyes like turmeric, indigo etc which are 100% child-safe. Artisanpride is a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation and provides a safe, fair & non-exploitative environment for member artisans.
The printing work is done by Maya Printers owned and operated by PWDs.
Hejjenu, scientifically referred to as Apis Dorsata, is recognized as the Indian Rock Bee and is one of the largest honey bee species.
Indian rock bees are known for their peaceful nature, preferring to construct their hives in locations free from the disturbances of noise or air pollution. They typically create a sizable single hive beneath cliffs or extensive tree branches, strategically positioning it beyond the influence of animals or human activity.
The hive generally exceeds a meter in length. These big and aggressive bees are highly defensive of their hive. Due to the defensive behaviour of Hejjenu, it is a challenging and dangerous task for Soligas to collect the honey.
This wild honey is collected from Soligas from the deep forests of BR Hills, Karnataka. The tribes follow sustainable and ethical practices while collecting the honey from beehives. Hence the honey is collected from hives at night without lights while bees are in deep slumber. This is high-risk work however, it comes naturally for Soliga community.
Each of your purchases indirectly contributes to the betterment of Soliga community that has maintained sustainable and ethical honey harvesting as its primary occupation for countless generations.
The taste of the honey keeps changing depending on the flowering season in the forest. From the dense forest of BR Hills, Karnataka, we are bringing you raw forest honey with bee pollen.
Discover wild forest honey taste from an area untouched by human habitation
Tuduve Jenu is known as Indian Bee. Apis cerana is the scientific name.
These honey bees are social bees and build hive in tree hollows or crevices of rocks in the forest. They build multiple combs for brood rearing and food storage.
This wild honey is collected by Soliga community, the tribal community from the deep forests of BR Hills, Karnataka. This Soliga tribe has been involved in collecting honey for many centuries. They have been living with nature and understand the importance of honey bees. The tribes follow sustainable and ethical practices while collecting the honey from beehives. They also have undergone The Ahimsa Forest Honey Collection (AFHC) method that ensures to gathering of the honey in a moral and non-toxic method that focuses on protecting both bees and honey hunters. The honey collector cuts out only that part of the hive that contains honey and leaves the rest of the hive intact.
Each of your purchases indirectly contributes to the betterment of Soliga community which has maintained honey harvesting as its primary occupation for countless generations. The taste of the honey keeps changing depending on the flowering season in the forest.
From the dense forest of BR Hills, Karnataka, we are bringing you raw forest honey with bee pollen.
Enjoy the wild taste of the nectar hand-picked by the Bees!
Arishina also called as Turmeric famously known as the 'Golden Spice' and 'Spice of Life'!
This is a versatile and flavourful spice that has made its way into cuisines and cultures around the world. Its potential health benefits and culinary versatility make it a valuable addition to your kitchen and wellness routine.
Arishina is a bright yellow spice derived from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa, which belongs to the ginger family. It has been used for thousands of years in both culinary and medicinal applications and is native to India. Arishina is used as a natural food colouring, and it is often added to foods to give them a bright yellow or orange hue. It adds a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavour to dishes.
This Arishina is organically grown by the Soliga community in the rich soil of the BR Hills area, Karnataka. The community uses the traditional way of farming and does not use any chemicals pesticides or insecticides. Hence this Arishina is not only good for applying on the skin but also good to be part of the diet.
Each of your purchases indirectly contributes to the betterment of the tribal Soliga community.
Relish the earthy aroma of Arishina in your diet.
Lacware, also known as lacquerware, is a type of decorative art and craftsmanship that involves the use of lacquer, a natural resin obtained from the secretions of the lac insect (Kerria lacca).
Lacquer is a versatile and durable material that has been used for centuries to create intricate and colorful designs on various objects. Lacware represents a remarkable fusion of artistry and craftsmanship.
The designs often feature simple and minimalist aesthetics, and the colors used are usually bright and eye-catching. The products are made of non-toxic and child-safe materials. The artisans who craft these products are known for their artistic skills and creativity. They often infuse local culture and folklore into their designs, making the products not only fun to use but also culturally significant. The craft faces challenges from modern mass-produced plastic products. To adapt to changing times, artisans have started incorporating new designs and innovations to keep the tradition alive and relevant.
To make the Candle Holder and Fridge Magnet, to get the yellow color turmeric is used and indigo to get that darker shade. The wood used is Hale (Ivory Wood) which is grown locally. Lac process involves harvesting the resin, purifying it, and applying multiple coats to create a smooth finish. Lacquer not only enhances the visual appeal of objects but also provides protection against moisture, wear, and insects. The screwpine leaves are used to give the glossy finish.
Bask in the minimalistic design and pass it down to generations!
Order now and empower our traditional and rural artisans, indigenous tribes, and persons with disabilities (PWD).