Rural Raffia
With a history that spans over a century, raffia mat weaving has grown to become one of the predominant occupations of people in rural Nigeria.

Raffia mats are made out of a local weed called kaba in Hausa, which is the predominant language in northern Nigeria. The weed is found in many states in the north, including Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, Hedejia, Katsina, and Kebbi. It used to be a wild plant, but with its growing economic importance, many farmers have resorted to cultivating it as an economic activity.

The weed grows during the rainy season (June to October), taking 3 to 4 months to be ready for harvesting. When harvested, it is dried for 2 to 3 weeks, then dyed in various colours before the weaving process begins.

It takes about a day’s work to make one mat, but as most producer members with the Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria combine mat weaving and other domestic demands, it usually takes up to two days. These producers see the skill not only as a revenue earner, but as an embodiment of their history, tradition and values.

The Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria co-ordinates the work of small-scale artisans with the objective of improving their living conditions, developing their skills and expanding their markets abroad. It was founded by 25 co-operatives and registered as a charity in 1994. ATNN seeks to improve the living conditions of poor and marginalized artisans through marketing their products worldwide via the Fair Trade community. It promotes the establishment of new producer groups, the creation of new employment opportunities and the provision of health services for rural Nigerians.