The retailer Watamu

These hand woven sisal baskets are crafted by women in Musengo village, three hours east of Nairobi, Kenya. Sisal (Agave Sisalana) plants are harvested for their fiber and have a natural white color. The brown and gray hues on these bags come from smoking and boiling the Sisal strands, creating the “kiango” color. Each bag takes an expert around two days to complete, a work of art and love! Each bag is one of a kind and will vary slightly from all others.

Traditionally these bags were used locally to carry goods to and from markets, holding anything from firewood to produce. Today, they can be used similarly or as a purse, retailer beach bag, or picnic basket.