raffia
- noun
- /ˈræfiə/
- Specialized
:
raffia
- Kike (Fig. 4) are carved and pegged figurines made from the pith of the raffia palm (often called bamboo in the literature).
- raffia palm
- made of raffia
Examples
-
Women, who generally wear skirts, can ensure that they are appropriately covered while sitting on the floor or on a low raffia cushion (pouf) by draping a lamba hoany over their knees (Fig. 5).
Academic text (2003) -
This yellow cut-pile cloth (Fig. 23), probably made from the bast and fresh leaves of the raffia palm, consists of twelve squares of roughly equal size, woven separately and then sewn together.
Academic text (1994) -
The other objects appear to be bird scares made of raffia pith.
Academic text (1994) -
In front of one face was the baltu screen, made of raffia pith and decorated with paint.
Academic text (1994) -
Kike (second and fourth from left) is made from three pieces of raffia pith pegged or tied together.
Academic text (1994) -
In the 1960s, it was still the practice for an effigy of the deceased made of raffia palm branches and cloth to be deposited at Igbo Iwale, even though the corpse had previously been interred within the home compound.
Academic text (1994) -
The craftsmen used raffia to create beautiful handmade baskets for the market.
-
She wore a hat made from raffia during her trip to the beach.
-
In many cultures, raffia is commonly used in traditional crafts and decorations.
Synonyms
A large tropical tree with very long feather-like leaves whose leaf stems give strong fiber
A tall tropical palm whose long leaves produce strong fibers and palm wine
Compounds
- Specialized
A large palm tree from Africa and Madagascar whose long leaves give strong fibers used to make ropes and mats
- Specialized
A large tropical tree with very long feather-like leaves whose leaf stems give strong fiber
- Specialized
A large palm native to Africa and Madagascar with long divided leaves that gives strong fibers for weaving
- Specialized
A tall palm tree from Brazil with large leathery leaves and strong stems used for building
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word raffia comes from the Malagasy word 'rafia', the local name for a palm from Madagascar and nearby parts of Africa. That's why the tree itself is called raffia and is known for its long, strong leaves used for weaving.
