October 2024
Two talented weavers in our sister organization's artisan workshop create stunning raffia textiles on handmade wooden looms. Through their craft, they help support their families.
The raffia palm fiber pictured here has been used by the Betsimisaraka people of northeastern Madagascar for centuries to create tightly-woven waterproof cloth that withstands the elements in this wet coastal environment. Once woven on banana trunk-fashioned looms in Betsimisaraka villages, traditional raffia garments all but disappeared with the arrival of imported cotton cloth and are rarely seen today.
Our sister team learned traditional looming technique from local villagers in 2012 and adapted large, portable looms, taking inspiration from traditional Betsimisaraka stationary looms. The pictured looms are hand-fashioned from wood, bamboo, and a metal pulley system. They’re used by the artisans in our Nature-Based Textiles initiative to weave a variety of natural fibers, from raffia and wild silk to other native plants, such as locally-known rambo and manara.
Raffia sales motivate farmers to plant more of these native palms in a win-win for people and nature, making raffia palms the ultimate “giving tree” in northeastern Madagascar. Beyond economic benefits, the roots of the raffia palm prevent soil erosion and help keep groundwater clean. For this reason, local communities plant raffia around their wells.
The beautiful armored cones of raffia palms have an inner yellow skin that local children like to eat. It was traditionally used to make oil for local soap in days before imported vegetable soaps were widely available. Today, the underside of the leaves is stripped and dried for weaving while the branches are selectively harvested for house construction– including the homes of many farmers and artisans involved in our programs. Native wildlife, including birds and lemurs, have also been observed eating the yellow skin inside their cones.
CPALI markets Fair Trade Federation and Wildlife Friendly verified textiles under our brand, Tanana Madagascar. Every purchase made at tananasilk.com supports locally-led livelihood and landscape restoration initiatives and is a source of pride for local artisans.
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