Raffia basketry

Raffia is the everyday material of the Guinean coast. Its fibers, extracted from young palm fronds, are woven by Aneho's women into mats, baskets, fans and ropes. Modest but beautiful, this craft passes from mother to daughter. Patterns are simple — parallel stripes, chevrons, checkerboards. Every household has its raffia mats, serving as beds, prayer rugs and drying surfaces for harvests.