Talented women in rural Rwanda utilize abundant banana and sisal fibers to create useful baskets for the home. Woven with an eye-catching black and white design, this all natural basket can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread, organizing toys or adorning the wall.

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

Size: 12"D x 2"T

About the Artisans:

Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.

African artisans carve these unique servers from a single piece of olive wood, and add "twist" to each server.

The server handles are made from highly polished and sanitized cow bone that has been etched with African line art. These servers are easy to grip and use, and add rustic beauty to any dish.

Bowl not included. Servers measure 10.5"L x 3.5"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash.

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 olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.

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These hampers, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal, bring beautiful modern artisan craftsmanship to homes around the world. These useful baskets are woven in the coil style by binding dried cattail stalks with plastic strips salvaged from a Dakar mat factory. Featuring aqua, orange, yellow and white triangles, the combination of natural and synthetic materials beautifully displays modern African artistry.

Measures 19"D x 30"T.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.

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Wood carvers in Kenya transform richly grained wild olive wood into this condiment dish with matching spoons. Use it on the table for spices, dipping sauces, or other condiments. A beautiful tree prized for its richly grained wood, wild olive is legally sourced by carving cooperatives. Artisans carve large and small pieces, from salad bowls down to spice spoons, to use the entire tree without waste.

Measures 5.5"L x 2"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash.

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 olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.

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Perfect for your favorite chef or baker, these indispensable bowls are wonderful for holding spices and ingredients while cooking. The bowls can also double for holding dips or household items. Each bowl is hand-carved from solid olive wood and rests easily in the hand.

The Kamba carvers who craft these bowls travel into the bush in groups for safety and set up a makeshift camp at the site of the felled tree. Together, the carvers sit down and rough in the basic carving for items on their respective orders. Having a variety of items to work on allows the carvers to better utilize the tree. From large items like these bowls down to small pieces like earrings, the carvers hew a collection of beautiful shapes.

Large bowl measures 4"D x 2"T. Medium bowl measures 3"D x 1.5"T. Small bowl measures 2.5"D x 1.25"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.

Made from olive wood. To care for this natural serving piece, hand-wash in warm water and rub lightly with a coat of olive or food safe mineral oil to ensure years of use.

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.

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These statement giraffe sculptures are a colorful and eco-friendly way to recycle flip flops that would otherwise litter urban Nairobi or sit in landfills. We work directly with a small co-op of Kenyan artisans who collect, clean and transform foam footwear into bold, modern safari art sculptures.

Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind. Select from 3 sizes:
5 ft tall (actual measurements 56-60" tall)
6 ft tall (actual measurements 67-70" tall)
7 ft tall (actual measurements 74-79" tall)

Extra shipping fees are required for this oversized item. Please see below to learn more.

About Shipping:

The 5 ft and 6 ft giraffes can often be shipped in oversized boxes, starting around $100. The 7 ft giraffes, or multiple giraffes, usually require shipping on a pallet, starting around $200. After purchase, we will contact you regarding the additional shipping charges.

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

About the Artisans:

In Kenya, artisans convert discarded flip flops into one-of-a-kind art. Operating from a small Nairobi workshop, the dedicated group offers employment and creative opportunities while also keeping flip flop foam out of the landfills.

These soapstone eggs, in assorted vivid colors, are carved in Kenya's Kisii District then etched with sweet floral designs at a nearby workshop.

Each measures 2"T x 1.5"D. 12 in each set.

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.

This unique set of salad servers are handcrafted from beautifully grained wild olive wood and bleached cow bone. With ample scoops, the set complements smaller salad bowls nicely.

The shorter size of these servers offer ease in serving salads with interesting tips on the handles made from highly polished and sanitized cow bone.

Servers measures 8.25"L x 3"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash.

About the Artisans:

Kenyan artists hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.

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JusTea® cold-pressed bergamot oil will take your Earl Grey experience beyond your normal expectations! Grown under the Mediterranean sun, organic bergamot oranges marry perfectly with the natural fruity notes of whole leaf Kenyan tea, grown pesticide-free on small Kenyan farms. Aromatic and rich, with notes of bright citrus and wildflowers, JusTea® high-caffeine Earl Grey is unlike any other you have tasted.

JusTea is dedicated to maintaining the whole tea leaf rather than the normal maceration which destroys much of the leaf’s natural complexities and depth. This allows the tea to be steeped multiple times, retaining the full flavor profile that whole leaf tea offers.

Each 90g tin includes a hand-carved wooden spoon and makes about 40 cups or when re-steeping, 80 cups. Steeping Instructions: 1 teaspoon of tea per cup of 205°F water for 3 mins.

See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya's first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world's most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

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Wild olive wood salad servers add natural beauty to the tabletop. This set of servers features a batik-dyed cow bone inlay, with batik patterns varying.

Wild olive wood is a preferred carving medium of Kenya's Kamba wood carvers for these beautiful yet durable salad servers. With extreme precision, these talented men draw beautiful serving pieces from the rich grain of this East African hardwood and add a bone inlay detail.

Measures 7"L x 3.5"W x 0.25"T. Hand wash in warm water, dry promptly and rub with oil before storage. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, variation is expected.

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 olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.

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Packed with antioxidants, whole leaf peppermint and lemongrass team up in this delicious and revitalizing JusTea® blend. Cool and refreshing with notes of mint and sweet lemon, caffeine-free Peppermint Detox soothes a sore throat, while lemongrass helps with tummy troubles and iron absorption. Members of a Kenyan women's coop handpick the organic lemongrass in this blend, so your tea purchase directly benefits their employment.

JusTea is dedicated to maintaining the whole tea leaf rather than the normal maceration which destroys much of the leaf’s natural complexities and depth. This allows the tea to be steeped multiple times, retaining the full flavor profile that whole leaf tea offers.

Each 45g tin includes a hand-carved wooden spoon and makes about 40 cups or when re-steeping, 80 cups. Steeping Instructions: 1 teaspoon of tea per cup of 205°F water for 3-5 mins.

See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya's first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world's most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

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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.

This amply-sized laundry hamper basket features braided plastic handles and a snug-fitting removable lid.

Measures approximately 26-28" tall by 16" wide.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.

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Songa Designs International empowers a new generation of women in Rwanda by combining their traditional weaving skills with modern design to craft these beautiful sisal baskets. Inspired by nature, each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as sisal fibers and can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread or organizing toys.

Size: Small 10"D x 2.5"T; Large 12"D x 3"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur.

About the Artisans:

It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs International is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 150 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.

You'll get years of use of out this beautiful cheese board, made from solid olive wood and enhanced with batik-dyed cow bone inlay. So easy to grab and use, the wood grain makes cheese look lovely.

Board measures 12" long x 6" wide, though sizes may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of this product.

Made from olive wood. To care for this natural serving piece, hand-wash in warm water and rub lightly with a coat of olive or food safe mineral oil to ensure years of use.

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.

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• Description
• Artist Info

• Did you know that there is a purple variety of tea trees that yields beautiful, vibrant purple leaves?!? Grown organically on small Kenyan farms like the jade green tea leaves that make all other tea, JusTea® purple tea leaves are naturally purple because they contain anthocyanins, the same super antioxidants found in other purple plants like blueberries and pomegranates. Fresh and soothing, with notes of aromatic mint and rose, a cup of low-caffeine Purple Mint is sweet and refreshing. Invigorating mint leaves are beautifully balanced with delicate rose petals and smooth purple tea. An added bonus: if you add a few drops of lemon to the steeped tea, the super-antioxidants will react to enhance a beautiful purple/pink colour change!

  JusTea is dedicated to maintaining the whole tea leaf rather than the normal maceration which destroys much of the leaf’s natural complexities and depth. This allows the tea to be steeped multiple times, retaining the full flavor profile that whole leaf tea offers.

  Each 60g tin includes a hand-carved wooden spoon and makes about 40 cups or when re-steeping, 80 cups. Steeping Instructions: 1 teaspoon of tea per cup of 190°F water for 3 mins.

  See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

• 

  The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya’s first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world’s most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

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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 1"W x 4.75"L. 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.

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Kenyan artisans create these small stylish but practical handmade spoons from wild olive wood and cow bone adorned with simple black lines. Handcrafted spoons make a great gift, especially when paired with African coffee or tea.

Measure 6.5" long. Size may vary slightly. Etched bone patterns will vary.

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.

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Perfect for small storage, these modern African baskets are woven using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic.

Each silver basket features white accents and includes a fitted lid with a braided pull handle. The sale of the baskets helps support a network of rural Senegalese craftswomen and their families.

Measures 8.5"T x 8.5"D. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size may vary slightly. Fair trade.

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Kenyan artisans create these stylish handmade coffee scoops from wild olive wood and batik-dyed cow bone adorned with simple patterns. Handcrafted spoons make a great gift, especially when paired with African coffee or tea.

Measures 6.5"L x 1.5"W x 1"T. Size may vary slightly. Batik patterns on handles will vary.

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.

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