The cooperative of Nyamagabe (COPAF) was created in June 2006 as a successor to FEAGI, a federation of artisans in the former province of Gikongoro. Following the country's administrative reorganization, this province now belongs to the Southern Province. It is situated in the Southwest of the country. Nyamagabe, the main city of this region, is located at about 150 km from the country's capital, Kigali, and close to Nyungwe National Park, where the impressive remains of a large high-altitude primeval rainforest can be visited. This is a very poor region in Rwanda, due to its difficult geography and the lack of fertile soils. Currently, the cooperative has 350 members, most of which are women from the countryside, who work in the field of traditional basketry. Their works are made primarily of bamboo and swamp grasses. Moreover, traditional musical instruments are crafted in this region, including wooden drums garnished with cow skin.