Handwoven African Tote

The Congo Woven Carry-All is handmade from naturally-dried grasses in the Congo. Handwoven by village artisans, each bag provides a vital step to restoring the artisans' livelihood. The earthy colors are hand-dyed into the grass fibers using all-natural local vegetable dyes. Light and flexible yet extremely durable, these totes can carry everything from your groceries to your workout gear.

Since 1994, the Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo) has been wrought by ethnic strife and civil war. On July 30, 2007, a report by Yakin Erturk, special rapporteur for the United Nations Human Rights Council on violence against women, found extreme sexual violence against women is pervasive in the DRC, with local authorities doing little to stop it or prosecute those responsible. It is essential to bring sustainable economic opportunities to artisans in the Congo in order to help rebuild their lives and bring hope for their futures.

 Each tote is handmade and unique, patterns and size will vary