SEHEMU: Handwoven Lilac & Blacked Speckled Wool Tote Bag

Meet vibrant SEHEMU, a colourful, lilac & black speckled basket bag handwoven by the Kamba tribe in Kenya.

These ethical baskets are known traditionally as kiondos (kee-yon/-doh) and were originally made in rural Kenyan communities by mothers as wedding gifts to their daughters. Weaving this particular type of basket bag was until recently a dying art: in 2004 only four elders from the weaving group had the skills make Kiondos, but today there are fifty skilled weavers bringing this wonderful craft back to life and these beautiful baskets are entering a renaissance as nifty and beautiful shoulder bags.

The wool used to weave the exquisite patterns into these colourful bags comes from upcycled jumpers bought at local clothes markets, and the bags are then finished in a local leather works with supple cow hide straps for carrying. The weaving alone takes up to six days to finish.

To take home one the basket room's woollen basket bags is to become an important part of the basket room's journey: an intricately woven tale of ethics and craftsmanship. The basket room is proud to support the weavers, providing a sustainable source of income for farming communities whose primary income can be unreliable.

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

• Dimensions: 40-50 cm Bottom Dia x 30-36 cm H / 17-20.5'' Top Dia x 12-14'' H (width is measured at the widest part of the bag)

• Strap Length: 29 cm / 11.5" approx

Please note: As all of the basket room's baskets are handmade, the dimensions and colour may vary from those shown in the photographs, adding to their charm.

HANDMADE IN KENYA