Banana Fiber Palm Tree Nativity Tabletop Scene

$ 29.00

This unique nativity depicts the Holy Family under the protective leaves of a palm tree. This lovely nativity is handcrafted from the leaves from banana trees in Kenya. It is a beautiful and sustainable material that has a tortoise shell finish. Each piece is handcrafted.

Measures approximately : 9x4x4 inches
Actual pieces may vary slightly in color, size or shape due to the handmade nature of each piece.

The Story Behind the Art:

Women in the villages in Kenya, near Kitui, are educated and trained on the handmade craft of recycling the dried fiber of banana plants, which would normally be discarded. They use their talents to transform the banana fiber into new, eco-friendly art forms. First, the banana fiber is dried, and then a light varnish is applied. The varnish on the banana fiber, with its many shades of brown, resembles textured tortoise shell. Once the process is complete, the artisans cut the fiber into strips to make one-of-a-kind goods.