My Story
About Me
Tangaala was founded by me, Letiyo, an entrepreneur and strategist whose life has been shaped by movement across cultures. I was born in Uganda, raised in Kenya, and have lived and worked across the African continent, the Middle East, and the United States.
With a background in business, luxury merchandising, and brand strategy, I envisioned a brand that would redefine African luxury through contemporary design while honoring the craftsmanship and cultural significance that have always existed on the continent.
Tangaala was born from the belief that jewelry should do more than adorn. It should tell a story, spark conversation, and remind its wearer of who they are becoming.
My Story & Mission
Tangaala (tan-GAH-lah) is derived from the Luganda word meaning "to glow," "to shine," or "to radiate." It's more than a brand name—it's my philosophy.
This brand exists for those of us who refuse to shrink. For the maximalists. The visionaries. The trailblazers. The ones whose light refuses to be dimmed.
My brand philosophy begins with the materials themselves. Brass begins as discarded metal. Bone is sourced from local butchers and restaurants after it has served its original purpose. Glass fragments are gathered and transformed. What others see as scraps, Tangaala artisans see as possibility.
Each material is patiently cleaned, carved, cast, polished, and refined, not to erase its history, but to reveal the beauty that has always existed.
I partner with skilled artisans who preserve generations of craftsmanship while embracing contemporary design, transforming reclaimed brass, ethically sourced bone, and recovered glass into timeless jewelry worn boldly and treasured for years to come.
More than jewelry, Tangaala is a reminder that beauty is revealed through transformation, that luxury is defined not by excess but by meaning, and that confidence is the courage to take up space unapologetically.
This is the story I wear. This is the future Tangaala is creating.
Go Forth and Glow.