The Story Behind the Bamba Coffee Lion

You’re probably wondering what the lion in our logo stands for. It’s more than just a symbol—it represents strength, resilience, and personality. It almost speaks to you. And its story goes all the way back to Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba himself.

While facing exile under French colonial rule, Cheikh Bamba endured countless acts of torture and attempts to force him to surrender his beliefs. But he remained unshaken, standing firmly for his faith, his people, and his homeland—Senegal.

Growing up, my father had this large book on our living room table—filled with stories about my grandfather and his incredible legacy. I was always drawn to it. One day, I finally picked it up and started reading. The illustrations and stories inside were unlike anything I’d ever seen.

But there was one story that stuck with me forever.

In this story, the colonizers prepared a room with a starving lion, intending to throw my great-grandfather in as a form of execution. They hoped the lion would devour him. But when Bamba walked into the room, something miraculous happened. The lion didn’t attack. Instead, it sat calmly beside him, as if in complete reverence. The colonizers were shocked. Another attempt to break his spirit had failed.

That story never left me.

Fast forward 20 years later, I decided to start Bamba Coffee as a tribute. I knew it had to be more than just another coffee brand. I wanted it to carry meaning, culture, and power. But I couldn’t figure out what to do for the logo. I didn’t want the usual coffee cup or beans. I wanted something with a soul.

Then it hit me—the lion.

The king of the jungle. Strong. Resilient. Unbothered. Just like my great-grandfather. And most importantly, it carried a story, a piece of my heritage.

I closed my eyes and envisioned a lion that captured the essence of Bamba: noble, proud, powerful. After countless revisions and artists—and just when I was on the brink of frustration, my  graphic designer and I finally created the perfect symbol. A lion that tells our story. A lion that is Bamba.

And just like that, Bamba Coffee was born.