BasketBasket Large Pink Hanta Stripes Tote Bag
*** Disclaimer - Image shows stripes at top of bag, however the stripe pattern is on the bottom section of the bag ***
The bags are from Madagascar and made from the native raffia palm tree that grows in the tropical rainforests. The tree has a short trunk which is used in house building if the entire tree needs to be cut down. However the branches can grow up to 18m long, so are usually cut leaving the tree to continue growing. Each branch is made of roughly 100 smaller fronds and the leaves are peeled before being dried in the sunshine. They are then cut into thin strips and washed to flatten the strips before being dyed in large pots over open fires. The raffia is then laid out in the sunshine to dry.
The embroidered patterns are then sewn on to the raffia panels. The panels of palm leaves are woven together to make the inside of each basket and the raffia panels are then sewn to make up the bags.
The handles are all leather, from the native zebu cattle.
NB: These bags can cope with a bit of light rain/damp and need to be thoroughly dried after but we wouldn’t trust them in a real downpour as the dye would run. The colours will fade in time.
With a woven fabric draw string inner bag that also can act as just a lining.
Size approximate: W 15.5" - 39 cm x H 12" - 31 cm x L 13.5" - 34 cm
