Aza Laye is a silver jewelry brand born in the Sahel.

We value timeless design and careful craftsmanship.
All pieces are made by hand in silver, using traditional Touareg techniques.

About us

“Aza Laye” comes from Azalai; the word used for ancient caravans that once crossed the Sahara, carrying salt, silver, and stories.

We changed Laï to “Laye”, short for Abdoulaye, the Touaregco-founder of the brand that gives life to every piece Aza Laye piece.

Aza Laye was born from the meeting between the Dutch Sjoerdje Meijers and the Burkinabé Touareg silversmith Abdoulaye Ag Hahoudou, in Senegal.

After Abdoulaye translated Sjoerdje’s ideas into custom silver pieces through his own techniques and vision, the work revealed an inherent depth. The idea emerged to share these pieces with a wider audience and to build a sustainable future for the craft & heritage behind them.

Aza Laye was founded as a way to bring this silver work into the present; carefully made, rooted in tradition, and built on mutual respect and long-term collaboration.

Touareg silverwork combines function, artistry, and identity. Every piece is made entirely by hand, using the same gestures that have shaped silver in the desert for centuries.

Born from

Preserving authentic craft

The Touareg are nomadic people of the Sahara and Sahel, historically moving across regions that today include Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya, and Burkina Faso.

The Touareg have a long tradition of metalwork.
Silver was obtained through trade routes, old coins and traded silver were commonly melted down and reused for . Historically, silversmiths often made weapons, tools, jewelry seen as protection essential for travel, trade and protection during desert journeys.

Nowadays, this tradition continues mainly through silver jewelry. Silversmithing techniques are passed down from father to son. While the forms of living have evolved, the techniques, materials, and emphasis on silver craftsmanship remain the same.

The Touareg

Aza Laye

Aza Laye is rooted in this heritage. The brand is co-founded by Tuareg silversmiths from the Sahel, bringing their traditional techniques into a contemporary design context. Each piece is handmade in pure silver, carrying stories shaped by craft, place, and lived experience. Through direct collaboration, Aza Laye supports Tuareg artisans and contributes to the preservation of an important cultural tradition, translating desert craftsmanship into modern, wearable forms.

Address

Atelier: En Face de Casino, 23000,
Saly Tapée Senegal.

Head office: Sint Antoniusbank 42b, 6268NP, Bemelen, The Netherlands.

Contacts

NL: +31624796553
SN: +221787563294

info@azalaye.com

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Photography © Sarah Seck