About Us

Jamm-Ak-Raww is more than a retail store. 

We are a "place of refuge" with the desire to cultivate and build community in the City of Savannah. 

Savannah is the 13th and final colony of the United States, so it has a very unique history and connection to the history of America. Georgia was founded in 1733, more than 100 years after the founding of the 1st colony. Therefore, many Africans and Native Americans would find this land "a place of refuge" as they escaped brutality north and south of this region that would later become known as Georgia.  The area became known as Jamm-Ak-Raww by those early inhabitants. Jamm-Ak-Raww is a Wolof phrase. The Wolof people were from the region in West Africa known today as SeneGambia.

Today it is known by it's english spelling of Yamacraw. However, the pronunication is the same. 

Savannah continues to remember the people of "Yamacraw" by preserving the name and parts of the location where these people sought refuge. It is called Yamacraw Village.  Although the Jamm-Ak-Raww is located more than 2 miles from the Village, our hope is that when those who live in the village visit our store, they will feel safe and welcome. Yes, we want you to BUY, but more importantly, we want you to COME BY and tell us your stories.