Artisan Products
Malagasy artisans are known for their fine baskets and hats, woven from
local varieties of reeds and palm fronds. The most well-known material
comes from the Raffia Palm, which is native to Madagascar and creates a
soft, natural-tone fiber perfect for weaving. Raffia products and other
traditional handicrafts are increasingly sought out by U.S. clients for their
quality and durability.
Often, the producers of Malagasy handicrafts are organized into women’s
cooperatives. At From the Field, we are currently working on projects with
several women’s groups to bring high quality Raffia palm hats and
baskets to boutiques in the United States. These items may be custom
designed to meet buyers’ individual style and design preferences. We are
also planning to make these handicrafts available for direct, on-line
purchase by individuals.
The island of Madagascar offers many other interesting, high-quality
artisan products, which From the Field intends to bring to American
markets. In the south of the country, local carvers craft intricate totem
sculptures from sustainably harvested rosewood and ebony. Such
carvings use cultural designs and symbols, and were traditionally believed
to bridge the living world with the spiritual realms of the Malagasy
ancestors.
Madagascar also has a unique variety of wild silkworm. Working in
cooperatives, women harvest this natural silk to create strong, elegant
scarves and shawls, which are rarely available for purchase outside of
Madagascar.
From the Field is currently working to develop fair trade projects in these
and other crafts, and will be able to offer them on a wholesale basis to
U.S. boutiques.
Please contact us if you would like to learn more about these From the
Field handicraft projects.
Malagasy artisans are known for their fine baskets and hats, woven from
local varieties of reeds and palm fronds. The most well-known material
comes from the Raffia Palm, which is native to Madagascar and creates a
soft, natural-tone fiber perfect for weaving. Raffia products and other
traditional handicrafts are increasingly sought out by U.S. clients for their
quality and durability.
Often, the producers of Malagasy handicrafts are organized into women’s
cooperatives. At From the Field, we are currently working on projects with
several women’s groups to bring high quality Raffia palm hats and
baskets to boutiques in the United States. These items may be custom
designed to meet buyers’ individual style and design preferences. We are
also planning to make these handicrafts available for direct, on-line
purchase by individuals.
The island of Madagascar offers many other interesting, high-quality
artisan products, which From the Field intends to bring to American
markets. In the south of the country, local carvers craft intricate totem
sculptures from sustainably harvested rosewood and ebony. Such
carvings use cultural designs and symbols, and were traditionally believed
to bridge the living world with the spiritual realms of the Malagasy
ancestors.
Madagascar also has a unique variety of wild silkworm. Working in
cooperatives, women harvest this natural silk to create strong, elegant
scarves and shawls, which are rarely available for purchase outside of
Madagascar.
From the Field is currently working to develop fair trade projects in these
and other crafts, and will be able to offer them on a wholesale basis to
U.S. boutiques.
Please contact us if you would like to learn more about these From the
Field handicraft projects.
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Copyright 2007, From the Field, Inc.
| Hats from Raffia palm, from the Northeast coast |
| Traditional totem carving from southwest Madagascar |
| Lightweight Raffia hats are worn both for working in the sun and for dressing up |
| Weaving shawls on the High Plateau region of Madagascar |
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| From the Field Trading Company |
| Fair trade products of Madagascar |