Black Art Tote Bag - Dahomey Warrior Design - Meaningful Gift for Mom

Wearable Art for the Fierce and the Free

Antionette Simmons Hodges' "A Dahomey Warrior" places an Agojie warrior at the center of a golden mandala—a circular composition ringed with mudcloth-inspired diamonds, spirals, and kente-coded geometry. The figure gazes forward with serene, unshakeable authority. She is not performing strength. She is made of it.

The tonal warmth of the amber ground, the intricate patterned border, and the dignified profile of the warrior create a piece that stops people mid-stride. This isn't a bag you carry. It's a declaration you wear.

The Artist:

Antionette Simmons Hodges is a Black mixed-media artist with over 30 years of work honoring African heritage, female power, and cultural storytelling. The Dahomey Amazons—the Agojie—were the all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin), who fought with legendary precision and ferocity from the 17th through the 19th century. They inspired the acclaimed film The Woman King. This painting honors their legacy.

About the Print:

The original artwork was painted on canvas using mixed media—mudcloth symbols, geometric patterning, and warm tonal pigments evoking West African textile traditions. The piece was professionally scanned and printed onto this tote using dye sublimation, embedding the artwork directly into the polyester fibers for colors that are vivid, permanent, and won't crack or peel with use. What you receive is a faithful chromatic reproduction—no physical materials from the original canvas are present on the bag itself.

Construction & Materials:

These custom-printed tote bags are built for everyday use and long-term durability. The 100% spun polyester body uses a tight micro-grid weave that holds its shape, dries quickly, and won't pill or fray with regular use. Your all-over print is created with dye sublimation—meaning the artwork is embedded directly into the fabric fibers, not printed on top. Colors won't crack, peel, or flake.

• 100% spun polyester body — 6.49 oz/yd² (200 g/m²) medium-weight fabric with subtle satin-like sheen
• Tight micro-grid weave — extremely strong synthetic construction that retains its shape and dries quickly
• Dye sublimation all-over printing — artwork fully embedded into fibers for vibrant, permanent color
• Non-woven laminate interior lining — structured, cleanable, high-end finish inside and out
• Cotton webbing handles — 28.74" length × 1.00" width, available in tan or black
• Reinforced double-stitched handles — second row of stitching at attachment points for superior strength
• Seamless thread construction — black inner stitching matches the lining; transparent thread on hems
• Boxed corners — front and back sewn together with extra side space for real carrying room
• Body dimensions: 18" × 18" × 3" — structured, spacious, and shoulder-ready

Care Instructions:

Spot clean only. Pretreat stains with gentle remover and soft brush using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, bleach, or iron directly on printed surface.

Styling Notes:

Pairs powerfully with earth-tone linen, raw denim, natural straw accessories, or Ankara print coordinates. Photographs brilliantly in warm afternoon light—the amber and gold tones in the mandala activate against almost any neutral backdrop.

Gift-Ready For:

Black History Month, Juneteenth, Kwanzaa, African heritage celebrations, The Woman King fans, empowerment milestones, Women's History Month, or "just because you carry history with you."