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Handwoven Sisal Kiondo Tote Bag, Leather Handles, 32cm

Sold byKIKWETU MAASAI STORESVerified Seller
£55.00

3 in stock

Estimated delivery: 5-10 business days

Dispatch time: 1-2 business days

Returns & exchanges: Returns within 14 days

Material / type

Sisal, leather

Size / dimensions

12 inches by 12 inches excluding the straps

Usage or context

  • Handmade by KIKWETU MAASAI STORES
  • Origin: Kenya
  • Category: Fashion
  • Audience: female
  • Authenticity checked by Sokofa marketplace review

Shipping information

Shipping estimate: 5-10 business days.

Dispatch time: 1-2 business days.

Returns: Returns within 14 days.

Please note

Handwoven, so the banding and the exact shade vary a little from bag to bag, and colours can look different on screen. Measurements are approximate. The bag is flattened to fit the courier flyer and regains its shape once unpacked.

Cultural context & artisan story

The kiondo is Kenya's woven basket bag, indigenous to the Kamba, Kikuyu and Taita communities, and the skill has traditionally passed from mother to daughter. Among the Kamba a kiondo is given to a bride by her mother and the older women of the family, placed on her back with instruction on how to carry it, and it is still a standard wedding gift. What began as the bag a woman carried to the farm and to market is now made with long leather straps for the shoulder, which is the form you are looking at here.

Shipping, returns, and FAQ

Shipping estimate & dispatch

Dispatch in 1-2 business days. Delivery windows vary by destination at checkout.

Returns summary

Returns within 14 days.

Frequently asked questions

Need custom sizing or tailoring? Use product options and tailor flow where available.

Product description

Overview

A handwoven sisal basket tote from Kenya, banded in rust, tan and dark brown, with two natural leather shoulder straps and a flat oval base. The straps are cut long enough to sit on the shoulder, which is what separates this from the short handled market baskets most people picture. It carries hands free, over a coat, and the body stays soft rather than rigid, so it packs down around whatever you put in it: a towel and a book for the beach, or the week's shopping. Size 32cm wide by 32cm high, which is 12 by 12 inches. The measurement excludes the handles. Materials and construction Handwoven sisal with genuine leather handles. The sisal thread is dyed before weaving rather than painted on afterwards, so the colour bands run true through the fibre and will not rub off at the corners. The body is twined by hand over a vertical warp, one row at a time, and the base is worked as a flat oval so the bag stands up when you set it down. The interior is lined and fastens with a zip. Care Do not soak the bag in water. Wipe clean with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Store in a cool, dry place when not in use. Shipping Orders are sent by DHL Express or UPS, with a tracking number once your parcel is dispatched. Bags are flattened to fit the courier flyer, which keeps the shipping cost down and does the bag no harm, as sisal is resilient and regains its shape once unpacked. Custom orders The maker welcomes custom orders. If you would like a different size, colour or design, send a message through Sokofa and they will help.

Vendor information

KIKWETU MAASAI STORES's avatar

KIKWETU MAASAI STORES

Verified
Kenya

Kikwetu Maasai stores is the number one distributor of Kenyan handmade maasai items worldwide both in retail and wholesale

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