Every Name Tells a Story
At Jarga, no collection is named by accident.
Each one carries a piece of who we are, a word passed down, a person we honor, a memory worth keeping.
Before a bag ever reaches your hands, it already has a history.
Here's what's behind the names...
AJI LEMOU NYANG SAMBA
The Lemo Bag
This debut collection was created in tribute to a woman whose energy filled every room she entered. Lemo was hard-working, nurturing, and effortlessly radiant. She cared deeply for those around her, took immense pride in her family, and embraced life with style, joy, and quiet confidence, even though her time was cut far too short.
She carried strength with lightness, showing that responsibility and beauty can coexist, and that presenting oneself with intention is a form of self-respect.
That spirit lives on in the Lemo bag. Designed for modern women, it balances elegance with practicality easy to throw over the shoulder or carry by hand, made to move seamlessly through daily life. It is a bag created for women who give generously, carry purpose, and still choose to show up with grace.
Her legacy endures as a reminder that joy is powerful, presence is intentional, and caring for others begins with honoring oneself.
Jainaba "Ndey Saho" Badjie
The Bajen Bag
Launched in March 2025 alongside the opening of JARGA’s production facility, the Bajen Bag marked a defining moment in JARGA’s journey in The Gambia, a celebration of what design, craftsmanship, and ambition can create at home.
Created in honor of Jainaba Badjie, our beloved Bajen, meaning paternal aunt — the bag carries the spirit of a woman known for her grace, elegance, quiet strength, and intentional way of living.
Bajen represents the modern woman: bold yet grounded, feminine yet unwavering, deeply rooted yet unapologetically her own.
She is a woman who chooses beauty, purpose, joy, and growth and makes room for others to flourish along the way.
More than a beloved aunt, Bajen is a mindset.
A way of living. A movement.
Bajen Bu Ndaw means the younger aunt, a more compact expression of the original Bajen Bag.
Designed for those who love the spirit of Bajen but prefer something smaller, lighter, and effortlessly versatile, Bajen Bu Ndaw carries the same character in a beautifully compact form.
Jainaba Nyang Njie
The Naba Bag
When JARGA first launched in December 2013, there was one woman who stood quietly behind the scenes guiding, supporting, and steadying us from the very beginning.
Jainaba Nyang-Njie has been a mother to many for decades. A respected voice in Gambian media and journalism, a pillar of public service, and a tireless advocate for women in leadership, business, politics, health, and equality.
For us, she made The Gambia feel like home, even when we was here without our parents. Her wisdom, strength, and unwavering belief have been woven into JARGA’s journey from the moment it was just an idea.
The Naba Bag is our tribute to her.
To the woman who nurtured this brand, championed women, and built a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
More than a handbag, The Naba Bag is a symbol of gratitude, strength, and legacy — a beautiful continuation of the values she has spent a lifetime living and sharing.