The human spirit is something that can surmout the highest obstacles and make it through the lowest lows, coming out on top at the end.
Courage and creativity are among its key defining characteristics, and this latest automobile marvel is a perfect example! No – it does not whip the Veyron into submission or flatten rough terrain like a Range Rover, but it stands apart from all those as the world’s first hand-woven car!
This car comes from a most unexpected part of the world – Nigeria. Raffia is a common tree seen in Nigeria – it is a kind of African palm tree with large leaves, and it also produces very useful fibre. The fibre is commonly used by Nigerians for baskets, mats, and other useful products. This car is woven from the very same raffia palm tree.
The car is a production of the workshop of 40-year old artisan Ojo Obaniyi from Ibadan in southwest Nigeria. The car uses fuel like any other car. Its doors, seats, and many other parts have been woven from the same raffia palm cane, the fine weaving showing the expertise of Obaniyi in projects of this kind.
Raffia palm is an integral part of Nigerian life, but the car still manages to surprise local folk. So would you like to see such a car in India
