What The Traveller Saw opened in the spring of 1996 in Oakland, California. From inception the goal of the store has been to sell the best new products made in old tribal traditions, along with the finest home decorative accessories from third world countries. What distinquishes What The Traveller Saw from other ethnic style shops is the quality of the products we sell and the extent of our collections. It is rare that in one store you will find music, books, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, furniture and clothes - all representative of the multi-cultural world in which we live. Many of the products we sell are purchased from fair trade organizations that are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans worldwide.

Anyone who has spent an extended amount of time on the road recognizes that there comes a time when you stop being a tourist and become a traveller. I made that transition in Asia years ago. After I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, I threw a backpack over my shoulder and started my collection of passport stamps. From the streets of Kathmandu and the covered markets of Istanbul, to the Himalayan peaks and Aztec temples in the jungles of Central America, I have been fortunate to meet many different people around the world and see their cultural treasures. I confess to being a textile junkie and an avid collector of many things. It is my greatest pleasure to be able to share with you my passions.

Michael Silverman
Proprietor, What The Traveller Saw

If you're in the area, please come by our new store to see our extensive selection of fine quality artisan products from around the world.

Our store hours are Mon-Fri - 11 to 7pm, Sat - 10 to 6pm, and Sun - 12 to 5pm.

If you'd like more information on our store, please send a message via our e-mail us at info@culturestore.com

Return to top