Founded in 2002 by sisters Paola and Lorena Sarinana, Makaua is a company of Mexican artisans, producers and designers, working together to create contemporary handmade products for the home. They strive to make beautiful and useful products that represent a blend between tradition and simplicity, while offering a dignified, fair and steady income to artisans and to be able to share their talent with the world.
The word Makaua means “hand to hand” or “giving a hand” in the ancient Nahuatl language. The artisans in the hills of Guerrero, Mexico are responsible for the entire process, including foraging in the hills for the palm leaves, hand-braiding the leaves together, dyeing the braids and sewing them together. Over 500 families have been involved with and positively impacted by Makaua baskets since they were first made in 2002 and continues to be an ever-growing network of artisans devoted to weaving brighter futures for themselves and their families.
