Jamhuri Wear is a Safari Lifestyle African clothing company.

History

Started in New York City in 2003 as a graphic tee shirt line. Jamhuri Wear's logo and name are inspired by the language and landscape of the continent that the brand strives to represent in the clothing world. The word "Jamhuri" translates from Swahili

Swahili language

Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...

 to mean "Republic" or "Free State." It describes the 53 vast nations of the company’s main focus.
The company’s primary mission is to promote pride and empower the youth of Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

, playing a proactive part in the future image of "Mama Africa."
Their past collections have showcased a mix between the contemporary and the traditional aspects of African society, heritage and cultures.
Included in the collection is the "Badge of Honor" – a piece that evokes a Swahili prayer (and Kenyan national anthem) for peace that promotes tranquility and the growth of a nation. The "Tusker t-shirt" is a nostalgic piece that pays homage to the world-renowned African brew, while the "logo tee" bears the fiery, roaring red lion logo that represents all that is Jamhuri Wear - swagger, pride and power!

Other stand out Jamhuri Wear pieces bear testament to the past and honor heroes such as the Mau Mau freedom fighter Dedan Kimaathi, with the “5 Star General" Kimathi tee, and the inspirational leader Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...

, with the "Man-dela" t-shirt.

Where the Brand is Today

The clothing line has recently grown to include custom cutting-edge outerwear pieces such as hoodies and crewnecks. Propelling it to be named Africa’s premiere streetwear line, you can even find privately-owned buses (matatu

Matatu

In Kenya and neighboring nations matatu are privately owned minibuses although pick-up trucks were in the past pressed into service as these East African share taxis. Often decorated, many matatu feature portraits of the famous or slogans and sayings, some religious.These minibuses ply set routes,...

's) in African Capitals toting the logo on their colorful graffiti-painted exteriors, previously reserved for mainstream brands like Nike

Nike, Inc.

Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...

, Bathing Ape and American entertainers.

Fame

Recently Jamhuri Wear has reached mainstream culture in the United States on account of popular entertainers wearing the brand, such as Akon

Akon

Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...

, Damian Marley

Damian Marley

Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....

, K'naan

K'naan

K'naan , born Keinan Abdi Warsame in 1978, is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.-Biography:Born in Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most...

 and Tom Morello

Tom Morello

Thomas Baptiste "Tom" Morello is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman, and his newest group, Street Sweeper Social Club...

 of Audio Slave. Hip-hop mogul Jay-z

Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...

 has often been seen wearing the label, notably during his UN-backed Global tour in Tanzania

Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...

 and during his Mega performance at the Live 8

Live 8

Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...

 concert in Philly with Linkin Park

Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...

. In Europe and Africa itself, the brand has been promoted and furthered by homegrown Kenyan rap star Wawesh

Wawesh

Wawesh is a hip-hop artist and producer from Kenya. The Sweden-based MC has been creating a buzz in Swahili-speaking communities in Eastern Africa and the Diaspora via his three consecutive hit singles plus highly acclaimed debut album, “It’s Meant To Be”.He started as a producer in 1993.Under his...

.
Jamhuri Wear has also been featured in reputable fashion publications including Vibe

VIBE

Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers...

, XXL

XXL (magazine)

XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...

, Complex magazine

Complex magazine

Complex is a young men's style/lifestyle magazine founded by Marc Ecko and Hugh McFall in 2002. The publication offers mainstream readers insight into the latest trends in niche cultures, such as streetwear, sneaker culture, hip hop, and graphic art...

, Blow and Stuff magazine.