This Nativity set is handcrafted out of banana fiber and comes in a 10 by 7 inch handmade banana fiber box that doubles as a stable.
This nativity set is intricately crafted and unique from any store bought set!
- The tallest piece is approximately 5 inches high.
- 11-piece set, plus display and storage box.
- Actual pieces may vary slightly in color, size or shape due to the handmade nature of each piece.
The Story Behind the Art:
Women in the villages in Kenya, near Kitui, are educated and trained on the handmade craft of recycling the dried fiber of banana plants, which would normally be discarded. They use their talents to transform the banana fiber into new, eco-friendly art forms.
First, the banana fiber is dried, and then a light varnish is applied. The varnish on the banana fiber, with its many shades of brown, resembles textured tortoise shell. Once the process is complete, the artisans cut the fiber into strips to make one-of-a-kind goods.
About Esther Kariuki
Esther Kariuki is an independent artisan who, in her area of Kenya, near Kitui, has organized and trained women in her village to use the dried fiber of the banana plant, which would normally be discarded.
The banana fiber is first dried, and then a light varnish applied. Once this process is complete craftspeople cut the fiber into thin strips to make several different items, including boxes, Bao Bab trees and mobiles. The varnish on the banana fiber with its many tones of brown resembles textured tortoise shell.
Esther ensures the craftspeople are paid a fair wage for their goods, which has enabled many in her small village to earn a sustainable wage.
