Kaway Shopping Bag
Regular price $950.00 USDThe Kaway is a versatile bag you can take with you on quick trips to the local market. Designed as a compact, trendy alternative to plastic bags, it's perfect for carrying groceries, books, or those fresh flowers you just bought.
The Kaway shopping bag was lovingly made by the female weavers of Shinshe, in non-factory working conditions. We believe that customers have the right to know how their purchase impacts the life of the human behind the product. Read more about Banana Fiber Weaving in Shinshe here and our Social Responsibility and Ethics here.
*The Kaway shopping bag takes between 160-192 hours to make.
- Small: Approximately 24cm L x 8.5cm W x 45cm H
- Large: Approximately 26cm L x 8.5cm W x 55cm H
- Made in Shinshe, Taiwan
- Material: 100% handwoven banana fiber, natural dye
All products are individually made by hand using natural materials and may vary slightly in color and size.
Banana textile production is a long and laborious process that involves several months of work before a single piece is completed. Woven on manually operated looms, banana fiber is low impact and a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive cotton and other petroleum-based fibers. The banana plant used is grown locally in the backyards of the weavers and farmers of Shinshe.
- Before a banana tree is cut down, a Kavalan ritual called Basbaw is performed to honor the Kavalan ancestors.
- Sheaths are stripped off the banana plant stem with a machete, and unwanted pith is scraped out.
- The fibers are dried in the sun for several days before being soaked in water to dissolve the starch. They are then dried a second time.
- Once dry, the fibers are cut into thin strips using a needle, dyed with local plants, and then knotted into yarn.
- Only when there are enough balls of yarn can the artisans start weaving. Weaving alone can take up to a month, depending on the complexity of the design.
When not in use, store the product in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place to prevent mold growth.
IN CASE OF MOLD GROWTH
Wipe clean with a damp cloth or wash the product under clean, running water. Place the product outside in the sun or a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry thoroughly.
