Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal hand-weave baskets in the traditional coil weaving method, using natural grass. Interweaving colorful strips of plastic, salvaged from a mat factory in Dakar, the weavers brighten up the baskets and create designs.

Cattails grow abundantly in rural Senegal, making this natural grass a sustainable choice. The Wolof women earn a sustainable income from basket weaving, while enriching homes around the world with modern African craftsmanship.

Measures approximately 12"D x 13"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, size and striping may vary slightly. 

This one-of-a-kind shield features hand-carved geometric lines. Carved from a single piece of wood, this piece is beautiful mounted on a wall or displayed using a stand.

Only one available. Shield measures approximately 20-21" diameter and 2.5" deep.

About the Artisans:

Hand-carved shields from Cameroon are artfully crafted from single pieces of wood. Featuring a variety of intricate designs and patterns, these shields are truly unique pieces.

Kamba artisans in Kenya carve these natural spoons from scraps of wild olive wood. Handmade and fair trade, this set of spoons makes a unique gift for any occasion.

Sold as a set of four. Each spoon measures 6.5"L x 1.5"W x 0.5"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.

Care: hand-wash in warm water, completely dry, and occasionally rub with oil.

About the Artisans:

We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of their works, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community.

These unique spice bowls are hand-carved by Kamba people living in the bush of Eastern Kenya. The bowls are carved from the African olive wood tree, with special care being taken to retain interesting areas of the wood's grain and natural curvature.

Natural bone inlay adds a touch of Kenyan style. Two matching spoons are included.

Measures 4"L x 2"W x 1.5"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash for best care.

About the Artisans:

We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of their works, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community.

Kenyan artisans salvage small scraps of wild olive wood to create these elegantly simple spoons with eyelet cut outs. The spoons are sanded to a smooth finish, displaying the beautiful grain patterns.

This set makes a lovely, unique gift!

Hand wash. Due to the handcrafted nature of these items, slight variation may occur.

Dimensions: 6"L x 2.25"W x 0.5"H (size varies slightly)

Crafted from: Wild olive wood

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

We work with representatives with Kamba artists to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of their works, wtih marked improvements being seen both for the individual and the community.

Rural Kamba women in Kenya hand weave these open top handbags from tough sisal fibers and soft wool and attach leather handles. Stylish and durable, the perfect addition to any wardrobe!

Measures 14"T x 14"W at the base, and 20-22"W across the top. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation may occur.

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these womens' totes are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Talented basket weavers in the northern Bolga region transform tough strands of elephant grass into shapely baskets. Featuring an intricate lace weave, these baskets come in a lovely set of three.

Ideal for home storage and organization, potted plants, and more. Can be rinsed and reshaped with cool water as needed.

Small measures 10.5"D x 10"T, medium measures 12"D x 11.25"T, and large measures 13"D x 12"T. Sold as a set of three nesting baskets. Because these are handcrafted items, size and pattern may vary. [Click to read our Statement on Handmade Variation]

Kenyan artisans handcraft a simplified nativity scene from banana fiber, corn husk, bark cloth, wire and wood. Featuring Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus under an overarching star, the scene makes a lovely addition to nativity collections or a fitting holiday adornment for a small space.

Sold singly. Because this is a handmade item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 4"L x 2.5"W x 7"H

Crafted from: Banana fiber, bark cloth, corn husk, wire, wood

Made in: Kenya

About the artisans:

In Nairobi's Banana Hill suburb, artisans utilize the fiber of banana palm trees, which grow prolifically in East Africa, to create whimsical gifts for local sale and export. Esther heads up a small group of talented individuals with a penchant for creating collectible works of folk art using this sustainable, all-natural medium.

These meaningful vases are hand-carved from a single piece of sandalwood and feature a smooth, cut-out heart as the focal point. Designs incorporate both the rough inner bark of the sandalwood tree and smooth, polished sandalwood to give each vase character and to utilize more of the tree's wood.

Fair trade from Mozambique. Sold individually, available in two different sizes. Medium measures 4.5"L x 3"W x 10"H. Large measures 12"H x 3.5"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

GreenArte is a talented and diverse pool of Mozambican wood carvers who specialize in creating figures, boxes, dishes and jewelry from sustainably sourced mpingo, sandalwood, pau ferro and cimbirre. Their focus is on using environmentally-sound materials and furthering artistic advancement in Mozambique.

Handcrafted by Kenyan artisans from soft soapstone, this heart-shaped keepsake box has a hand-dyed finish with a simple message: "love lives here." Makes a thoughtful gift for young and old to share.

Measures 3.5"L x 1"T.  Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation may occur.

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Zimbabwean stone sculptors hand-carve natural white serpentine stone to create these abstract owl sculptures.

Sold individually. Sizes: Small 6.75"T x 2.75"L x 1.75"W; Medium 8"T x 2.75"L x 1.75"W; Large 9"T x 4"L x 2.25"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item and the nature materials used, some variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

Talented sculptors carve beautiful items from serpentine stone. Found in many deposits throughout Zimbabwe, its colors vary from black to brown to green, orange and variegated. Sculptors choose deposits of rock that are hard and therefore very durable.

Ghanaian artisans weave stiff elephant grass into a sweet sun hat with a classic shape and braided leather string. This versatile accessory is accented with lace weave details.

Wash and reshape with water as needed. Hats include a braided leather strap with tassel.

Dimensions: 11"-12"L x 11-12"W x 5"H (size may vary slightly)

Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather

Made in: Ghana

This pair of large nesting baskets from Ghana is handwoven using all-natural stiff stalks of elephant grass. The undyed natural color will be right at home in many rooms of the house.

Large basket measures 17"T x 17"W, and the smaller basket measures 15.5"T x 14.5"W. Sizes may vary some as these are all handmade.

The baskets nest inside of each other for easy storage, and they ship as a pair. Made from all-natural materials & vegan.

This fun necklace of red, white, and blue, strung with strong cord with tiny vulcanite vinyl discs interspersed with brass, bauxite and recycled powder glass, creates a vibrant statement!

Measures 22"L from end to end (8" drop.) Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

About the Artisans:

Artisans in Ghana use colorful vulcanite vinyl discs from Togo with brass, bauxite and recycled powder glass beads to create fun jewelry!

This special token of devotion is carved from fragrant, sustainably harvested sandalwood by Mozambican wood carvers. These lovely little gifts, showing both smoothly sanded and raw textures of the wood, help carvers utilize small pieces of wood that might otherwise be discarded and retain the rich fragrance of sandalwood.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary.

Dimensions: 3"L x 3"W x 1"H

Crafted from: Sandalwood

Made in: Mozambique

About the Artisans:

Mabanda is a wood carving artist from Mozambique who works and resides in a carver community. He was born into a family heritage of carving, which has helped him to become one of Mozambique's most talented woodcarving artists. Mabanda has a workshop on his home plot and frequently works with his brothers, Sergio and Santinho.

This dramatic, detailed sculpture of a buffalo head are welded from recycled oil drums and scrap metal in Kenya. The sculptures come to us from a small group of metal artists outside of Nairobi who work exclusively with recycled materials. The sculpture can be displayed inside or outside of the home, with the metal developing a patina with exposure to the elements.

Measures 12" T x 26" W x 13" D. Quantity is extremely limited. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur.

About the Artisans:

Moses and his small workshop of craftsmen build their own welding machines out of copper coil, tape, steel rod, and a sheet metal housing in order to create these spectacular metal works of art. Moses began his artistic career making furniture, but quickly switched to sculpture after an interested European buyer created a demand for his works abroad.

About Shipping:

Shipping for oil drum sculptures requires a pallet and starts at $200. With freight costs increasing in 2021, we have seen costs as high as $400-$650.

After your purchase, we will work with a freight company to determine the exact shipping cost for the pallet to your location, from our warehouse in Oregon. We will contact you via email about the additional shipping fees.

We can also create this shipping quote at any time during the ordering process! Please email us at info@swahilimodern.com with your full shipping address to get started.

These gorgeous drop earrings feature a 24k gold-plated twist, topped with a deep ruby-red quartz bead that flashes at the earlobe.

Handmade in Mali in collaboration with designer Phyllis Woods of Tribalinks.

Measures 0.25"W x 2.5"L. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

Featuring porcelain hearts that are formed and fired in a specially built kiln at The Leakey Collection workshop near the Rift Valley, these sweet earrings hang on sterling silver wires. Handcrafted by Maasai artisans, each pair of Follow Your Heart earrings is glazed in a soft turquoise blue, with Zulugrass and sterling silver beads added to match.

Measure 1.75"L x 0.75"W. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. 

These beautifully contoured heart-shaped bowls are handcrafted from soft Kenyan soapstone, then dyed with either a vibrant fuschia or red finish and etched with a giraffe print pattern. Lovely as a jewelry dish; not food safe.

Measures 6"L x 5.5"W x 0.5"T. Fair trade.

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Using copper recycled from used water heaters or wire, along with silver mined by small scale miners from an old silver mine in Kabwe, young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) are defying gender norms becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making. F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry showcases modern Zambian skill in eye-catching wearable art such as this copper and silver disc necklace, hung from a leather cord with a hook clasp.

Measures 2.5"W x 15"L (total length), 10" drop. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Matching earrings are available.

About the Artisans:

F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.