Handwoven Rwandan Gnome Ornament

Handwoven Rwandan Gnome Ornament

A familiar holiday character reimagined through Rwandan basket weaving, this cheerful gnome pairs a tall striped hat with a wonderfully textured natural fiber beard. Hand dyed sisal brings rich color to the sculptural design, while a sweetgrass core gives the ornament its durable, dimensional form.

Each gnome is woven by hand in Rwanda using the traditional coil technique, connecting a playful seasonal design with generations of artisan knowledge. Choose from Red, Gold, Green, or Blue to add an unexpected piece of African craftsmanship to your Christmas tree.

Traditional Rwandan Coil Weaving

An Ancient Craft in Miniature Form

Coil weaving is one of the world’s oldest known weaving methods. Rwandan artisans wrap hand dyed sisal around bundles of locally sourced sweetgrass, building the gnome’s conical shape through tightly formed rows.

Natural, Locally Sourced Fibers

Sisal Wrapped Around Sweetgrass

Sisal is valued for its fine texture, strength, and ability to absorb vivid dyes. Paired with flexible sweetgrass, it creates an ornament that is lightweight enough for the tree yet substantial enough to display elsewhere throughout the season.

Craft with a Wider Impact

Handwoven by Women Artisans in Rwanda

Indego Africa works with primarily women owned artisan businesses and invests its profits in education and professional development programs for women makers and young people in Rwanda and Ghana.

Product Details

Brand: Indego Africa
Materials: Locally sourced sisal and sweetgrass
Available Colors: Red, Gold, Green, and Blue
Dimensions: Approximately 6 inches high × 2.5 inches wide
Technique: Traditional coil weaving
Finish: Hand dyed
Craftsmanship: Handwoven by artisan partners
Origin: Made in Rwanda
Please Note: Handmade construction may result in subtle variations in size, color, and shape

Care

Keep away from prolonged direct sunlight to help preserve the hand dyed color. Trim any stray sisal fibers carefully with small scissors. Store in a dry place and avoid crushing the woven form.

Ideal For

• Artisan made Christmas trees
• Colorful holiday decorating
• Natural fiber ornament collections
• African craft and global design collections
• Mantels, wreaths, and decorative branches
• Small spaces needing a playful seasonal accent

A playful Christmas classic shaped through Rwandan craft, natural fibers, and the skilled hands of women artisans.