Kiondo – the handwoven basket from Kenya
A Kiondo is a traditional handwoven basket from Kenya. It is made from the fibres of the sisal plant and usually finished with handles and trims of real leather. Kenyan households have used Kiondos for centuries: to store the harvest, to keep clothes, or to carry the shopping home from the market.
A basket with meaning
In Kikuyu culture, guests bring a Kiondo with a gift inside when they visit. When they leave, the basket is returned with a gift in return. The Kiondo stands for appreciation, exchange and community. It is also an important wedding gift, symbolising abundance, protection and happiness for the new home.
Kiondo or Kyondo?
Kiondo is the name of the basket. Kyondo is our company name: Kiondo + You. So if you are looking for a “Kiondo”, a “Kyondo” or a “Kiondo bag”, you are in the right place.
How a Kiondo is made
Two strands of sisal are twisted into one strong thread, coloured with non-toxic dyes and then woven by hand, row by row. A medium-sized basket takes a weaver two to four days. The women often weave together – outdoors on the grass or by the fire, sharing stories and laughter. See every step on our Production page.
Our Kiondos
Today, 25 women in Kenya weave for Kyondo. Grace, our co-founder in Kenya, collects every Kiondo directly from the women, pays them fairly and on time, and checks the quality – with no middlemen. Every piece is one of a kind in shape, size and colour. With good care a Kiondo lasts for decades; some are handed down from grandmother to grandchild. More about us
Frequently asked questions about the Kiondo
A Kiondo is a traditional handwoven basket from Kenya made of sisal fibres, often with real leather handles.
Kiondo is the name of the basket. Kyondo is the name of our company – a blend of Kiondo and “You”.
With good care a Kiondo lasts for decades. Some are passed down in families from one generation to the next.