Our Story

The journey of Tunteya Shea Butter began in 2015, during my ethnographic research on polygamy (polygyny) in northern Ghana. Since the name Katja had no special meaning there, the locals gifted me a new name - Tunteya.

I spent six enriching months living with families in various villages. I observed daily life, kept a detailed field diary, and engaged in conversations with men, children, village chiefs, and especially the women who welcomed me into their homes. We bonded deeply, especially when I filmed a short ethnographic documentary on the shea butter production process. The women were initially shy in front of the camera, but soon became proud participants, showcasing their essential work. After several days of filming, they invited me to join them in producing shea butter.

Upon returning home, I shared the beautifully fragrant shea butter with my family and friends, who were captivated by its quality. This inspired the creation of a women's cooperative in a small village in northern Ghana, built on fair trade principles. Since 2018, we've partnered with the Ghanaian company Right Shea, united by our commitment to sustainable production and ethical supply chains. Today, we collaborate with two women's cooperatives near Tamale, bringing high-quality, handmade, raw, unrefined, and certified shea butter to the Slovenian and European markets under the Tunteya brand.

Our mission is rooted in personal connections, a deep understanding of the entire production process, and a dedication to using natural ingredients of the highest quality. We honor cultural and traditional contexts and adhere to the principles of fair trade. Shea butter production is exclusively women's work, providing a vital source of income for many. This is the African women's gold.