About La Maison Afrique FAIR

The manufacturing process was introduced by shipwrecked Arabs arriving on the east coast of Madagascar approx 1000 years ago. In order to replace the Koran that had been lost with the ship, the Arabs searched for fibres which could be used for making a new. (At this time, ca 700-1000 AD there where no written  language, neither any paper on Madagascar. ) When they found the wild growing Avoha-bush the manufacturing of paper could be started.

Below, producers of the Anteimoro paper in La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE assortment show how they keep the tradition alive.

Art nr 1181 Flower card GM 10pc in a flower decorated box of Anteimoro paper. 10pc of double flower decorated cards + 10pc of envelopes. The envelopes have a little flower decoration to the left. Box: 24x13cm Card: 21x11cm

Step 1. Bark is collected from the Avoha bush. The bark fibres is boiled in water. No bleach or binding agent is used.

Step 2. The mass that is received from boiling is worked so that the coarse fibres are crushed and the mass gets smooth.

Step 3. The mass is spread out on a wet cotton cloth stretched over a wooden frame.  Each individual paper sheet is formed and flowers and straws are placed as decorations in the still wet paper mass.

Step 4. The frames are placed in the sun and when the drying is finished, the sheets are carefully detached from the cotton cloth.

Art nr 1182 Hearty card 15pc in a box made of Anteimoro paper 15pc envelopes. Box: 18x18cm Card: 15x15cm

Art nr 114 Flower card MM Double incl extra writing card and envelope. 16x11 cm
Art nr 115 Flower card GM Double card incl extra writing card and envelope. 21x11cm

Art nr 152 Album/visitors book PM 20 Anteimoro leaves 27x20cm

See Fair Trade assortment for more pictures of Anteimoro paper products, information material (in pdf and pps-format) and order forms.