At AfricaYetu each of our products tells a story, the pride and love for Africa.
A kiondo is a handwoven bag made of sisal and at times leather trimmings. It is indigenous to the Kamba community of Kenya. The weaves begin stripping the sisal plant’s outer leaves, leaving the plant still able to grow. The sisal threads from the plants are usually green in colour and the weavers (normally women) use their machine known to them as ‘kikuni’ to thrush the raw sisal and get a pale coloured layer. After that, they come up with a pattern. It is after that when they boil the threads in coloured water. The dyed threads are left to dry in the sun. After the sisal drys the weaving commences. Two single threads are intertwined to form one strong thread. It is from this that the bag is made. It takes approximately two to three weeks to finish a bag, depending on size.
Most women Kamba weavers have to look after their households, therefore the weaving is done when they are free.