About Us - Kalabash & Tings

Bridging Cultures. Wearing Heritage. Tasting Home.

In the heart of Nassau—where turquoise waters meet tropical breeze—Kalabash & Tings invites you into a vibrant cultural sanctuary where fashion meets flavor, and Africa meets the islands.

This is more than a boutique or a café. It’s a heartbeat. A fusion of two rich heritages. A curated experience born from the journey of Uyi, a cultural visionary, son of a Bahamian mother and Nigerian father, who turned his dual roots into a movement.

Our Story: From Diaspora to Destination

Uyi began his entrepreneurial journey in 2015 with two digital platforms:

  • C.A.P.E. (Creative African Products Express)

  • u2couture

Through these ventures, he built trusted relationships with African designers and artisans, connecting global customers with high-quality, handmade products rooted in tradition.

In 2019, u2couture co-sponsored and styled every contestant in the Miss Teen Bahamas International Pageant—introducing African fashion into a national spotlight with a showstopping Afrobeats dance segment. It wasn’t just fashion—it was a cultural awakening.

African Tings: Fashion with Soul

In February 2023, the dream took physical form with the launch of African Tings—a boutique blending bold fashion, handmade accessories, and Afrocentric home and wellness products. African Tings quickly became known for its authenticity, style, and cultural integrity, gaining recognition as a leading Afro-Caribbean fashion brand in The Bahamas.

Kalabash Café: Where Culture Becomes Cuisine

In August 2025, the story is expanding with the opening of Kalabash Café, a soulful food concept rooted in West African flavors and island warmth. Nestled inside African Tings, the café serves traditional dishes like Jollof Rice, Egusi Soup, Suya, and drinks like Zobo, Palm Wine, and world-renowned East African Coffee—offering guests the chance to taste home, one bite or sip at a time.

Together, Kalabash & Tings is a destination where fashion, food, and community come together under one roof.

Beyond the Walls: A Cultural Movement

Uyi is also the co-founder of Afrogroove, the Bahamas’ first and only monthly Afrobeats backyard festival. With live music, dance, fashion shows, and authentic food, Afrogroove celebrates unity between Africa and the Caribbean—and continues to inspire a new generation of cultural expression.

Our Mission

To create a space where identity is honored, creativity is celebrated, and the diaspora feels at home.
To champion African excellence across borders, industries, and generations.

📸 Meet Our Founder

“Uyi Idah, Founder & Cultural Curator of Kalabash & Tings (Kalabash Café + African Tings)– blending his Nigerian-Bahamian heritage into every stitch and every spoonful.”