Banana Fiber Arched Nativity Set - Esther Kariuki

This Nativity set is handcrafted out of banana fiber and comes in a 10-inch by 7-inch handmade banana fiber box that doubles as a stable.

• The tallest piece is approximately 5 inches high.
• 13-piece set, including storage box.
• 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.