Jebena Dreams — Balè Moya Gives Back

The vision behind the Jebena Studio Experience — and the women it exists to honor.

What is the Jebena Dream?

The Jebena Dream is the movement behind the Jebena Studio Experience. It began in Addis Ababa and has traveled across the U.S. and beyond, introducing thousands to the beauty, history, and craft of Ethiopian pottery. Since January 2024, hundreds of people across Addis Ababa, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City, Canada and beyond have created their own jebenas through this workshop.

But the impact goes beyond the workshops.

The impact so far

The part we're most proud of is the economic impact for the women potters in Addis Ababa. The workshops there are run independently by the women — they keep 100% of the income. Because of this model, they've seen an estimated 20% increase in their annual revenue since January 2024. Beyond the numbers, they've shared how meaningful it is to see their skills, craft, and cultural knowledge finally receive the respect and recognition they deserve.

The next chapter: safer firing conditions

The women potters have one request that remains unmet: changing their current firing setup, which still exposes them to smoke and hazardous conditions. That's what we're funding next — every sale from the Jebena Collection goes directly toward this project.

Support the Jebena Dream

The 'Love Letter from Ethiopia' Collection by our co-founder, ceramic artist Ayda Biru, uses the jebena to tell personal and collective stories — heritage, political narrative, and belonging — reflecting Ethiopia's rich culture and layered history.

  • Original Work — one-of-one originals, starting at $500
  • Limited Replications — only 5 replicas ever made of each piece, starting at $300
  • Custom pieces — request a commission or propose a price for a specific design

Your purchase directly supports the women potters of Addis Ababa.

Inquire About a Piece  Commission a Custom Piece

Also open to exhibitions and hosted jebena workshops — write to ayda@thebalemoya.com. 50+ workshops facilitated with 600+ participants across the U.S., including Harvard University; exhibitions have reached 450+ attendees across three DC-area showcases.