“Avani means ‘Earth’ in Sanskrit. A reflection of the natural materials used to make our baskets ~ Sisal, Ilala palm leaves, Sweet & Wild grass”
Materials
We use natural materials which are locally grown in each country in order to reduce our carbon footprint ~ to be ethically-responsible & environmentally-friendly as possible in the production of all our Avani baskets
Sisal.
This beautiful plant is the foundation of every basket made in Kenya & Rwanda. Locally grow, sustainable, renewable & an eco-friendly plant. It’s also has the strongest natural fibre, makings it the perfect material for a basket that’s designed to last. The fibres are extracted, hand dyed, dried & rolled into fine thread before weaving can begin. A long time consuming process.
Ilala Palm.
A spies of the palm leave native normally found in Eastern Africa including Zimbabwe, mainly near Victoria Falls. The fronds are used to weave our baskets. Strong & renewable, the leaves are boiled & then dried in the sun to soften them for weaving.
Sweet Grass.
Also known as Elephant grass as it’s a popular food for them, is grown wild in Rwanda. Cut & dried in the sun for 3-5 days, before coiled in circles & naturally dyed ready for weaving. Due to the type of grass, this material is flexible to weave, ideal for detail patterns. Our Rwanda baskets are made using both sisal & sweet grass.
