Raina and George Mazwiembiri

The Reboli Center for Art and History is delighted to present Raina Mazwiembiri as our Artisan of the Month for September 2025. A stunning collection of her exquisitely crafted seed‑pod birds, made in collaboration with her two daughters, will be showcased and available for purchase throughout the month in the Center’s Design Shop.

Raina Mazwiembiri’s creative journey began decades ago when her husband, George Mazwiembiri, started crafting whimsical seed‑pod birds in 1994 as a way to bring in extra income for their family. Eventually, Raina joined him in the craft, and as George pursued other projects, she took over the enterprise herself. Today, she continues this family tradition with two of her daughters, alongside a son and other extended family members, all united by their passion for making these charming, vibrant creatures.

These delightful birds are handcrafted using seedpods from the Ulumbu tree (Sterculia rogersii), a rare and precious resource in their home region. To obtain these materials, Raina and her daughters embark on a three‑day round‑trip journey, travelling some seven hours to the Bulawayo area to gather the seedpods before returning to Ruwa, Zimbabwe.

Once home, the seedpod becomes the lifelike body of the bird. The legs are fashioned from hand‑shaped wire, and the beaks are molded from putty. Each bird is then meticulously hand‑painted in bright and imaginative hues, one by one, transforming natural materials into delightful treasures.

Raina, her daughters, and extended family reside in Ruwa, just outside Harare. They are parents to seven children and are deeply rooted in traditions of family collaboration and artistry.