Dalit Goods came about as a result of a trip to India by Life Association director Simon Hawthorne. Whilst there he began to notice a large number of smashed clay pots around the slum areas of Mumbai. These clay pots turned out to be drinking pots which for thousands of years the Dalit people have often been forced to drink from and then smash on the ground as a sign of their supposed untouchability. It is this powerful symbol of oppression that inspired Simon to launch a range of Dalit-branded products as a way to give back to this community.

In 2010 Dalit Goods was launched to raise awareness of the Dalits’ plight, provide much-needed employment and also funds for the charity, Life Association. It is our goal to design and supply ethically sourced, environmentally friendly products and provide employment to Dalit community in India.

Our clay candles are hand thrown in the Dharavi Slums in Mumbai by Dalit Potters and hand filled by Dalit women. Each one of our terracotta candles is named after a child who has been cared for by Life Association in India, through building children’s homes and schools for the past 25 years. Your purchase helps provide much-needed employment to the Dalit community and enables us to support Life Association through various projects across India.