Madagascar Arts

During the 7th century, shipwrecked Arab sailors brought the art of papermaking to Madagascar's shores in the Indian Ocean. The sailors used the paper to create "sorabe," verses from the Koran written in Arabic, which was the first written Malagasy language. The Antaimoro tribe continues to handcraft the paper. To make the paper, the bark of the Avoha bush is harvested and boiled; the fiber is then pounded by a mallet. Fresh cultivated leaves and flowers are set in the paper which is laid out to dry on cloth frames.

Madagascar Arts is a nonprofit organization on the island dedicated to creating economic alternatives to the destruction of the rainforest. Proceeds from sales help Malagasy artisans preserve artistic traditions and create employment. They create beautiful inlaid flower stationery sets, individual cards albums, gift bags, and picture frames.