rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryraffiaPalm leaf fiber
noun

raffia

RAF-ee-uh/ˈræfiə/

A strong palm-leaf fiber used for tying and weaving.

Loose raffia fibers continue into the weave of the unfinished basket.

A close-up still life of pale, ribbonlike raffia fibers beside a palm leaflet and a partially woven basket, with loose fibers visibly continuing into the basket weave.
Etymology
raffiaMalagasyraffia palm

Malagasy rafia names the palm itself. The name extended from the tree to the soft fiber made from its leaves—the material used for weaving.

In context

Cooper Hewitt21:09
a fabric that is sourced from raffia and so rafi has a palm product that is essentially sort of like stripped down and uh turned into these sort of like long fibers
Fashion, Culture, Futures: Sustainable Fashion Practice From Africa to North America

More examples

  • The basket is woven from strips of natural raffia.
  • We dye the raffia blue before weaving it into a hat.
  • A raffia bow decorates the gift box.

Similar words

twine
Cord made from twisted strands, rather than loose palm fiber.
rattan
Stiffer palm stems used for weaving, rather than leaf fiber.