Raffia, << RAF ee uh, >> is a fiber made from the leafstalks of certain varieties of palm trees. One of these palms, the Raphia ruffia, grows abundantly on the northeastern coast of Madagascar. Another, the Raphia taedigera, grows on the islands of Japan. Residents of Madagascar make clothes from raffia fiber, and weave baskets, mats, and small fancy bags from it. Raffia was once used in greenhouses to protect plants from cold and to tie buds and grafts. But today, artificial fibers are often used in greenhouses in place of raffia. Raffia is used in schools for weaving baskets and other products. See also Basket making.
