Word of the day: raffia

The word of the day is raffia:

1. a fiber obtained from the leaves of the raffia palm, used for tying plants and other objects and for making mats, baskets, hats, and the like.

(1729, rofia, from Malagasy rafia. Modern form is attested from 1882; also raphia (1866).)

"Two basket weavers sat in the back row with woven raffia babies in their laps.  One had plain raffia streaked with blues and greens, while the other's baby was entirely red, and every passenger admired them."

 - Lesley Nneka Arimah, "Who Will Greet You At Home", 26 October 2015 The New Yorker (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/26/who-will-greet-you-at-home)