Dumela Beads

College is a place where people come to learn as much as they can. For the most part, this happens in the classroom, but sometimes in the midst of all the classes and programs students come across something that sticks in a different way; on a more spiritual level. That is exactly what happened to Jacqui Volkmann (BA ’08, Organizational Communication) when she first heard the word ‘dumela.’

Dumela (pronounced doo-may-luh) is a greeting used primarily in South Africa. The word is translated directly to ‘good day’, but often comes with a different meaning; I affirm you, I believe in you, and I see the great potential in you.

“I was taught about dumela in the summer of 2004 by one of my favorite professors at WMU, Dr. Orbe,” Volkmann said. “I was an Orientation Student Leader and Dr. Orbe was facilitating our diversity training.”

Students of Dr. Mark Orbe, professor of Communication, know the word dumela well, as he begins every class session with the greeting.

Volkmann graduated from WMU and moved to Atlanta where she decided to keep the idea behind dumela alive and strong by making beaded bracelets. People soon began to notice her bracelets and started asking for them as gifts. She knew she was on to something.

“There were several bead stores in my area so I figured, why not?” Volkmann said. “I can have fun and make myself some meaningful accessories. I do have a strong creative outlet and like to foster that in different ways.”

The bracelets began growing in popularity. When Volkmann was approached by a local boutique asking to sell her beads in their store, she knew it was time to go bigger; and Dumela Beads, her business, was born.

“The most important factor to me was that I wanted something to set these bracelets apart from the others,” Volkmann said. “I wanted to spread the Dumela love in a larger capacity and a uniquely different way. I wanted every recipient of the bracelet to know it was an affirmation.”

Dumela Beads has shipped bracelets throughout the U.S. and Canada, and just made their first trip overseas to Taiwan earlier this month. Volkmann said that her bracelets are a go-to gift, especially for people who are going through tough times. Each bracelet comes with a card stating the meaning of dumela, and Volkmann says it really drives home the message of love from family and friends.

“My vision for Dumela Beads has grown larger than I ever dreamed,” Volkmann said. “People are truly embracing the meaning of Dumela worldwide!”

Volkmann has since returned to WMU as a graduate student in the WMU School of Communication. To learn more about Dumela Beads, please visit dumelabeads.com.Posted by Stan Sulewski