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Writer's picturePhoebe Court
Jul 183 min read

ALL ABOUT RAFFIA

raffia farinifera trees

From palm to product…


Raffia is an incredible natural resource that is beautiful, strong, and pliable, making it well-suited to a multitude of uses. For instance: ties for agriculture; decorations, like baskets or ribbons; filler for packages; and clothing, such as shoes or handbags. At Good People, we adopt raffia in all our bags to create our beautiful and sustainable collections. In this article we take a deep dive into the raffia industry of Madagascar, to find why it is so impactful and how it is harvested.


The raffia palm tree (Raffia Farinifera) originates from Madagascar. It has a short trunk with huge leaves that can reach twenty-five metres in length, and each tree holds nearly one hundred leaflets. Raffia fibre is gently detached from these leaves and is removed in one solid pull. The fibre is left to dry in the sun before it is utilised in any number of crafts.

two pictures. man harvesting fibre from rafia leaves and the dried fibres

To remain sustainable, there are set rules for harvesting raffia so that the tree can reach its full life span. The trees can only be cropped every 6 months in accordance with Malagasy law for the regeneration of the resource. When harvesting, only leaves of a certain length are cut, and it is necessary to leave some branches to keep the tree healthy. Similarly, the fruit is left unharvested, as doing so would prevent subsequent branch growth. These methods ensure that the tree continues to grow and thrive; consequentially preserving the habitat of many local plants and animal species - including the iconic native species such as lemurs, chameleons and various butterflies.

3 pictures. a lemur, a chameleon and a butterfly


Unfortunately, sustainability is not always the first choice… 


In developing countries, biodiversity might fall low on their list of priorities. It can often be easier to destroy fragile habitats for agricultural or industrial use. However, it is possible to find a balance, and link economic opportunities with biodiversity protection. As such, farming these leaves is a valued operation in Madagascar, as it replaces slash and burn agriculture with a source of income that is wholly sustainable and protects local species.


One example of this collaboration is the raffia plantation around Makira National Park. Since 2015, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has been working with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to improve sustainability practices whilst raising incomes for the local community reliant on the raffia farm. The local women’s associations are taught how best to harvest the raffia, and the organisational management skills needed to profit from their operation. Julie Félixine, a WCS trainer, says that “promoting the raffia value chain ensures that the local population has an income-generating activity and prevents the forests from being exploited”.

 

In conclusion, raffia has a significant impact on Madagascar. It is an essential industry that encourages green, sustainable practices and preserves the native ecosystem. The natural fibres are harvested following proper procedure and go on to make shoes, baskets, agricultural ties, Good People handbags, and much more.

Good People works using raffia to make handbags

Written by Phoebe Court

 

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