Paper

The paper cord used in our baskets was developed together with a Kenyan factory and is made from unbleached kraft paper. The paper we use is FSC-certified and can be recycled at the end of its life.

Sisal

The sisal used by Mifuko grows in Kenya’s dry soil without chemical fertilisers. The fibre is separated by hand and processed using traditional methods without industrial machinery. Sisal is strong, antistatic and flexible, and it softens with use. The fibre can also be dyed in a wide range of colours.

Plastic

The plastic used in Mifuko products is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sourced directly from a factory in Kenya. It is used for its durability, water resistance and consistent quality. Baskets woven from plastic are easy to care for and are also suitable for outdoor use. The plastic we use meets the requirements for materials intended to come into contact with food.

Wool

The wool used in Mifuko products is surplus material from the Danish carpet industry and originally comes from New Zealand. The wool is used as it is, without further processing. It is naturally insulating, strong and easy to care for.

Palm leaves

Mifuko products use fallen leaves from the Kenyan mkeka palm. The leaves are collected by hand along riverbanks without cutting down or cultivating the trees, and they are not processed before weaving. Their greenish colour naturally fades within 1–2 months.

Milulu grass

Milulu grass grows wild in wetlands and is sun-dried before weaving. It is used to make baskets using traditional weaving techniques. The grass's greenish colour naturally fades within 1–2 months.

Elephant grass

Elephant grass grows wild in northern Ghana, where it is harvested by hand without irrigation, fertilisers, machinery or chemicals. The grass is dried, split and twisted into a flexible weaving material. Products made from elephant grass can be cleaned and reshaped by moistening them with water.

Jacaranda wood

The jacaranda wood used in Mifuko decorations comes from fallen branches collected in Kenya, and trees are not cut down specifically for Mifuko’s production. The branches are sawn and carved into decorative pieces before being dried and sanded. Natural wood decorations are finished without chemical treatment, while painted decorations are made using water-based acrylic paints and clear varnish.

Leather

The handles and straps used in our products are made from locally sourced vegetable-tanned leather supplied by an LWG-certified supplier. The leather is a by-product of meat production, and the tanning process uses organic substances and natural tannins derived from plants. The leather is cut and attached to the products by hand using traditional methods. Natural variations in colour make each leather detail unique.

Glass BEADS

The glass beads used in Mifuko products are made in the Czech Republic, where glass bead making has a local tradition spanning more than 100 years. The high-quality beads add colour and decorative detail to Mifuko products.

BANANA FIBER

Banana fibre is a strong natural fibre obtained from the pseudostems and leaves of banana plants as a by-product of banana production. The fibre is collected by hand, and no bananas need to be grown specifically for its production. It is used as a weaving material in Mifuko products.

Ceramic

Mifuko’s ceramic products are made from clay that artisans collect by hand from local riverbeds in Kenya. The products are shaped and glazed by hand and fired in electric kilns.