Rwandan Contrast Handle Raffia Tray

Black handles frame the golden coil of Rwandan raffia

The Contrast Handle Raffia Tray is built in broad concentric rings, allowing the natural grain and color of the fiber to travel visibly across its shallow round form. Two black-wrapped handles rise from opposite sides, interrupting the warm raffia with a strong curved outline.

Handwoven by women artisans in Rwanda, the tray combines locally sourced raffia with bundles of sweetgrass that give the coiled construction its shape. The result is structured enough to gather objects on a table or counter while retaining the subtle irregularities of fiber wrapped and stitched by hand.

Rwandan Fiber Craft

Coiled Construction: Raffia is wrapped around bundles of sweetgrass and joined into expanding circles to create the tray’s base and low sides.
Locally Sourced Fibers: Both the raffia surface and sweetgrass foundation come from natural plant materials used by Rwandan weaving communities.
Hand-Dyed Details: The natural body is finished with contrasting black handles that emphasize the tray’s rounded silhouette.
Made by Women Artisans: Each piece is woven in Rwanda through Indego Africa’s artisan partnerships.

Designed to Gather

Coffee Table Arrangement: Use the tray to bring candles, books, matches, or small collected objects into one composition.
Fruit and Bread: The open, shallow form keeps whole fruit, rolls, or wrapped baked goods easy to see and reach.
Entryway Landing Place: Gather keys, sunglasses, mail, and other items used on the way in or out.
Wall Display: When not in use, the circular coil and black handles allow the tray to function as woven wall decor.

Craft with Continuing Impact

Indego Africa invests its profits in education programs for the women who make its products and young people in their communities. Since 2007, its work in Rwanda and Ghana has provided more than 1,100 artisans and 250 young people with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and access to international markets.

Product Details

Materials: Raffia and sweetgrass
Construction: Raffia wrapped around coiled bundles of sweetgrass
Color: Natural with black handles
Shape: Round tray with low sides
Width: Approximately 13 in
Height: Approximately 2.5 in
Handles: Two contrasting wrapped handles
Origin: Handwoven in Rwanda
Maker: Indego Africa artisan partners
Variation: Slight differences in dimensions, shape, fiber texture, and color are natural characteristics of the handmade process

Care

Cleaning: Spot clean as needed.
Sunlight: Prolonged direct sunlight may fade the dyed fibers.

Ideal For

• Organizing a coffee table or ottoman
• Holding whole fruit, bread, or wrapped pastries
• Gathering everyday items near an entryway
• Displaying the coiled weave as wall decor
• Pairing natural fiber with black metal, dark wood, or leather

From the widening raffia coil to the pair of black-wrapped handles, every part of this versatile tray keeps the skill of its Rwandan weavers in view.