Rice Paddle – African Blackwood

Qasa Qasa African Blackwood Utensils

Sourced and made in the Mtwara region of Tanzania, these beautiful, handcrafted utensils are made from African Blackwood by the Makonde tribe – renowned for their craftsmanship.

This non-endangered wood is a fully controlled species in Tanzania sourced from government owned forests and farms which utilises mostly fallen branches and offcuts.

Native to seasonally dry areas of Africa, the African Blackwood is prized for use in making musical instruments. Due to areas of lighter grain in the wood which are unsuitable for this purpose, much of the two tone wood is left as off-cuts. It is these pieces which the Makonde tribe use to turn into beautifully crafted utensils.

The carving is done freehand using hammers, chisels and rasps and then sanded to an incredible smoothness and to enhance the natural grain of the wood. Each piece is carved from a single piece of wood. Any wood waste created from carving Qasa Qasa products is used as cooking fuel by their artisans and families.

Qasa Qasa is an organisation committed to preserving these traditions by giving artisans a platform to the wider world. They provide fair wages, innovative designs and training so that the Makonde artisans can foster their own growth and contributions to their community.

Each purchase also supports the International Tree Foundation to plant trees, restore and conserve forests and build ecosystem resilience.