Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal hand-weave baskets in the traditional coil weaving method, using natural grass. Interweaving strips of plastic, salvaged from a mat factory in Dakar, the weavers create beautiful designs.

Cattails grow abundantly in rural Senegal, making this natural grass a sustainable choice. The Wolof women earn a sustainable income from basket weaving, while enriching homes around the world with modern African craftsmanship.

This hamper basket features inset handles and a flat lid.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 14"L x 14"W x 19"H

Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic

Made in: Senegal

Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.

Using strands of natural sisal, women living in remote areas of rural Kenya earn income by crafting beautifully simple baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home. Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from an agave plant, so the baskets are coveted for their durability and ability to be re-shaped.

Sold individually. Choose from Medium or Large.

Approximate measurements: Medium 14" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Large 16" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur.

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

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Songa Designs International empowers a new generation of women in Rwanda, combining traditional weaving skills with modern design to craft these tightly woven sisal baskets. Inspired by nature, each handmade item handwoven with all-natural materials and can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread or organizing toys.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:
Small: 10"L x 10"W x 2.5"H
Large: 12"L x 12"W x 3"H

Crafted from: Banana fiber, sisal

Made in: Rwanda

About the Artisans:

It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs International is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 150 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.

This versatile set of nesting baskets is handwoven using strands of hand-dyed sisal. Versatile and stylish, these baskets are perfect for mixing up storage in any space.

Sold as a set of three nesting baskets.

Dimensions:
Small: 6"L x 6"W x 6"H
Med: 8"L x 8"W x 8"H
Large: 10"L x 10"W x 10"H

Crafted from: Sisal fiber, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Interweaving natural and dyed grasses to create intricate patterns, Tanzanian artisans hand-craft these stylish baskets. The baskets are named for the weaver, Maila, who perfected the new woven design.

These all-natural baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania. The milulu makes durable baskets, which can be rinsed with cool water and reshaped as needed.

Sold individually; choose from 2 sizes.

Approximate measurements: Medium 12" wide x 12" tall or Large 13" wide x 13" tall. Because this product is handmade, size and design placement will vary.

About the Artisans:

Vikapu Bomba embodies the vision of Catherine Shembilu to create sustainable income for talented, rural Tanzanian women. For many women living in the lush southern highlands, life centers around subsistence farming, cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women can weave baskets between their other duties, working daily to earn money to pay school fees, buy food, procure farming supplies and contribute to savings. When a woman has money of her own to use or share, she has greater influence over her life and future.

Milulu grass reeds can be harvested carefully from the marsh without removing the entire plant. The reeds are dried in the sun, dyed with natural dyes, and split for weaving. The closeness to the earth of both maker and product gives these beautifully crafted baskets natural appeal.

This simple white sisal fruit basket is dressed up with black stripes and short handles. The square bottom gives this useful basket a modern profile. 

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:  10"L x 10"W x 9"H

Crafted from: Sisal fiber, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these womens' totes are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave these beautiful oval picnic baskets from thick and tough natural elephant grass. A popular choice among green shoppers, errand runners and picnic planners worldwide, Bolga baskets stand up to use and abuse and remain functional and beautiful for years.

Dimensions: 23"L x 14.5"W x 20"H

Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather

Made in: Ghana

Care: Bolga baskets can be rinsed and reshaped as needed. Visit our Care & Shaping instructions to learn more.

With leather-wrapped handles and spacious oval shape, you'll love this oval basket for picnics, the farmer's market, and beyond.

Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave these beautiful oval picnic baskets from thick and tough natural and dyed elephant grass. A popular choice among green shoppers, errand runners and picnic planners worldwide, Bolga baskets stand up to use and abuse and remain functional and beautiful for years.

This basket is "limited edition"; we have 2 nearly-identical baskets available.

Dimensions: 23"L x 14.5"W x 20"H

Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather

Made in: Ghana

Care: Bolga baskets can be rinsed and reshaped as needed. Visit our Care & Shaping instructions to learn more.

With leather-wrapped handles and spacious oval shape, you'll love this oval basket for picnics, the farmer's market, and beyond.

Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave these beautiful oval picnic baskets from thick and tough natural and dyed elephant grass. A popular choice among green shoppers, errand runners and picnic planners worldwide, Bolga baskets stand up to use and abuse and remain functional and beautiful for years.

This basket is "limited edition"; we have 2 nearly-identical baskets available.

Dimensions: 23"L x 14.5"W x 20"H

Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather

Made in: Ghana

Care: Bolga baskets can be rinsed and reshaped as needed. Visit our Care & Shaping instructions to learn more.

With leather-wrapped handles and spacious oval shape, you'll love this colorful, one of a kind basket for picnics, the farmer's market, and beyond.

Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave these beautiful oval picnic baskets from thick, tough natural and dyed elephant grass. A popular choice among green shoppers, errand runners and picnic planners worldwide, Bolga baskets stand up to use and abuse and remain functional and beautiful for years.

This basket is one of a kind; you will receive the basket shown in the photos.

Dimensions: 23"L x 14.5"W x 20"H

Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather

Made in: Ghana

Care: Bolga baskets can be rinsed and reshaped as needed. Visit our Care & Shaping instructions to learn more.