01-ZAMBIA14_R21
$98.00
In rural Zambia near Victoria Falls, a wedding basket is a Toka woman’s most useful and valuable possession. Meticulously harvesting the tough roots of the Makenge bush, boiling until soft, coloring the roots with natural plant dyes—many steps must occur before weaving begins. Only the most skilled Toka craftswomen are able to weave these baskets. Each weaver adds one-of-a-kind patterns conveying messages of beauty, marriage and family.
Each basket is unique, featuring the natural tone of the roots with designs woven in black and/or natural rust colors.
Measures approximately 16-17"diameter x 2" depth.
We are happy to present new makenge wedding baskets from Bridget Meyer, former owner of Toka Imports, handcrafted by the women of Bridget's village in Zambia using tough makenge roots and natural dyes. In rural Zambia near Victoria Falls, a wedding basket is a Toka woman’s most useful and valuable possession. In everyday life she may choose to use it practically—to winnow grain, to collect and store harvested roots and rice—or to beautify her home by hanging it on a wall. The beauty and durability of Zambian wedding baskets is no accident. Meticulously harvesting the roots of the Makenge bush is truly an art form of its own, and once roots are found, they are boiled until soft and colored with natural plant dyes. Only the most skilled Toka craftswomen are able to weave these baskets, and each adds one-of-a-kind patterns conveying messages of beauty, marriage and family.
