In 2003, Nyibol Deng, of South Sudanese background, undertook a challenging journey from her home in Western Ethiopia to build a new life in Australia. Despite not knowing what to expect, she carried with her a strong sense of family and community.
Driven by a desire to share her Nuer heritage, Nyibol embraced the challenges of learning a new language, adapting to a different culture and climate, attending English classes, and raising her young family. Her resilience and commitment to sharing her culture have been central to her journey of building a new life in Australia.
In 2019 Nyibol launched A TUK – A TUK means “Beginning in Thok Naath, the language of the Nuer people from South Sudan and Western Ethiopia. It symbolizes resilience, creativity, and new beginnings.
Today, Nyibol holds firm to the values of Independence and self-determination, and her commitments to environmental sustainability and giving back to her community.
With its rich mash-up of upcycled textiles and fabled Ankara wax cloth, A TUK delivers durable high-street style and exuberant colour for head wear, scarves, Cushions and bags.
Wax print cloth was originally introduced into Africa in the mid-1800’s by Dutch traders. The flamboyant fabric found an enthusiastic market first in West Africa, then rapidly spread throughout the continent. Contemporary wax cloth designs can symbolize personalities, occasions and places, and are a popular way for African women of all backgrounds to signal their culture, interests and status.
But whoever wears it and for whatever reason, the one message they share is COLOUR COLOUR COLOUR – and THIS expression of our heritage is what A TUK brings to its customers.