The HEKARI woven bucket bag is literally one-of-a-kind: woven by a member of Kenya’s highly creative Kamba tribe, working within a cooperative. Sporting exquisite bands of Yellow, Black, Brown and Blue in a vibrant geometric design, the colourful wool used to create this drawstring bag comes from second hand jumpers. 

The weavers design each basket bag themselves, choosing patterns and colourways of their own preference. Baskets take up to four days to weave, and weaving work typically takes place in lulls between farming, housework, childcare and social events. Basket weaving has become a vital source of additional income to these people, whose livelihoods otherwise depend on the unpredictable nature of agricultural work. 

Featuring beautiful leather shoulder straps and a drawstring top closure with leather tassels, HEKARI is the ultimate festival bag. Once weaving is complete, each bag in this collection is taken to a local tannery where cowhide shoulder straps are produced and attached by artisan leatherworkers. Sustainable through and through, HEKARI’s brass bead rivets are made from recycled and sand-casted scrap metal: an income source for artisans living in the Kawangware slums of Nairobi.

These drawstring bags are inspired by Kenyan kiondo baskets, which were originally woven by mothers as wedding gifts to their daughters. Once a dying craft, today kiondo weaving is experiencing a revival that you can become a part of.

Material:  SISAL & RECYCLED WOOL (NATURAL & SYNTHETIC) LEATHER STRAPS

Dimensions:  22cm Dia x 23cm H / 8" Dia x 9" H

Leather used is a by-product of the food industry.

Please note, as this is a handmade product, dimensions & colour may vary from those shown in the photographs.

HANDMADE IN KENYA