MOTO — Made in Zanzibar · Handwoven Swahili Crafts by 100+ Women Artisans

Woven by hand, by 100+ women.

An ancient Swahili plaiting tradition, kept alive by a cooperative of over 100 Zanzibari women. Baskets, mats and kikoi made from 100% palm leaf and cotton — natural dyes, fair fixed prices, real Community Trade.

100+women artisans 100%natural materials Fairfixed prices

A tradition kept alive by the women who weave it.

MOTO grew from an ancient Swahili plaiting tradition into a cooperative of more than 100 artisans — most of them women. Together they turn palm leaf and cotton into baskets, mats, kikoi and batik, coloured with natural and vegetable dyes.

Every piece is genuinely handmade in Zanzibar, never mass-produced. Fair, fixed prices mean the people of the island earn properly for their craft — a small, sustainable economy you can hold in your hands.

Talk to us on WhatsApp

What we weave

Order any piece on WhatsApp — we will confirm availability, colours and a fair price, then arrange shop pick-up in Stone Town or shipping.

Ukili baskets (Mkoba)

Our signature handwoven palm-leaf baskets and bags, in traditional and contemporary patterns.

$32–$50fair fixed price

Order this

Plaited mats (Mkeka)

Traditional Swahili floor and prayer mats — ndaso and ukili weaves, plus custom hall and dining mats to size.

Ask usmade to order

Order this

Swahili kikoi & batik

Cotton kikoi cloths woven in Swahili patterns, and hand-dyed batik textiles using natural vegetable dyes.

Ask ushand-dyed

Order this

Woven hats

Hand-plaited palm-leaf hats — light, breathable and ready for the Zanzibar sun.

$15fair fixed price

Order this

Natural soaps & spices

Natural soaps from the DADA women's collective in Matemwe, and aromatic Zanzibar spices.

Ask usall natural

Order this

Solar cookers & stoves

Energy-saving stoves and solar cookers — part of our sustainable, low-smoke kitchen project.

Ask ussustainable

Order this

Prices shown reflect typical fair fixed prices in US dollars; the exact amount is confirmed when you order.

Visit the crafts museum & weave with us

Near the Jozani forest on the road south, our Pete workshop and crafts museum opens its doors to visitors. Watch palm leaf plaited by hand the way it has been for generations — or roll up your sleeves and try it yourself.