A TRADITION OF BASKET WEAVING IN GHANA
Starting from a small woven circle, Ghanaian basket weavers work their way out from a central point to reveal beautiful, distinctive Bolga baskets. Sometimes called “market baskets,” Bolga baskets are woven from veta vera, or elephant grass. While the grass is grown primarily in southern Ghana, weavers in the northern region of Bolgatanga excel at transforming the tough grass fiber into the iconic baskets. The people from the region rely on the sale of handcrafted items to supplement their income, and their craftsmanship is demonstrated by the high quality of these artfully woven baskets.
The weaving of Bolga baskets in Ghana has been a traditional skill for many generations, and is often a communal process. The Bolga baskets sold by Swahili Modern are fair trade and a reliable source of income for weavers and their families. Just as the baskets begin as a small circle and expand, so does the impact of purchasing fair trade items that directly benefit, support and empower the artisans who create them.
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$255.00
This pair of large nesting baskets from Ghana is handwoven using all-natural stiff stalks of elephant grass. The undyed natural color will be right at home in many rooms of the house.
Large basket measures 17"T x 17"W, and the smaller basket measures 15.5"T x 14.5"W. Sizes may vary some as these are all handmade.
The baskets nest inside of each other for easy storage, and they ship as a pair. Made from all-natural materials & vegan.
$285.00
This pair of large hamper baskets are woven in Ghana using natural elephant grass, finished with soft leather wrapped around the handles. The baskets are tightly woven and can stand up to years of usage while still remaining beautiful. Reshape when needed.
Sold as a set of two hampers.
Dimensions:
Large: approximately 18"T x 16"W
Small: 17"T x 14"W
Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather
Made in: Ghana
$225.00
Bring warm, natural tones into your home with these stunning palm hampers. Sold as a pair of two, each features inset handles and a fitted lid, perfect for hiding what's inside!
In northwestern Kenya, Turkana weavers transform the fronds of doum palm, also known as the gingerbread tree, into gorgeous, 100% natural-fiber storage baskets. The wide, flat palm fronds are woven in a traditional coil method, giving this lidded hamper a smooth finish, pleasing to the touch.
This set includes 2 baskets. Approximate measurements:
[Small] 16"D x 16"T
[Medium] 18"D x 18"T
Arrow designs in chestnut brown are assorted and will vary. Due to the handcrafted nature of these baskets, slight variation is expected. [Click to read our Statement on Handmade Variation]
About the Artisans:
The Turkana tribe lives in the remote, semi-arid Turkana District in northwest Kenya. Their environment is frequently affected by drought, leading the Turkana people to habitually relocate to seek rain and fresh vegetation. They are pastoralists, relying on cattle for many of their needs. The tribe often travels in small groups to find pasture to sustain their livestock.
Turkana basket weavers are women of the tribe, weaving in the traditional coil method that has been passed down through generations. They weave with gingerbread palm fronds, also called doum palm—a drought-resistant native plant in northern Africa, which also produces edible date fruits.
$140.00
These hamper baskets are handwoven in Ghana using natural elephant grass, finished with soft leather wrapped around the handle. The baskets are tightly woven and can stand up to years of usage while still remaining beautiful. Like any Bolga basket, this hamper can be rinsed and reshaped with water when needed.
Sold as a set of two hampers.
Dimensions:
Large: approximately 18"T x 16"W
Small: 17"T x 14"W
Crafted from: Elephant grass, leather
Made in: Ghana
$315.00
Discounted as a set, these extra large floor baskets are woven in Ghana using tough elephant grass. Each basket includes a set of sturdy woven handles for easy transport. The three baskets nest together for shipping and when not in use.
The baskets are tightly woven and can stand up to years of usage while still remaining beautiful. Can be rinsed and reshaped with cool water as needed.
Small: 18.5"D x 9"T. Medium: 20"D x 10.5"T. Large: 22.5"D x 12"T. Size may vary slightly.
$188.00
Add storage with classic style in any room of your home with this set of tall, white hamper baskets with a slightly tapered silhouette. The set features two nesting sizes, woven from sustainable natural grasses and white plastic strips repurposed from a prayer mat factory in Dakar, Senegal. These fair trade baskets are made by Wolof women in remote Senegal, who earn a sustainable income through weaving.
Sold as a set of two. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions:
Large: 19"L x 19"W x 22"H
Small: 15"L x 15"W x 17"H
Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic
Made in: Senegal
Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected in size and shape. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.
$325.00
This set of blue and cream handcrafted baskets features three nesting sizes woven with natural grasses and re-purposed strips from prayer mats in Senegal.
Use these baskets to store clean laundry, balls of yarn, or toys. Use in any room of the house to add a splash of color to your home decor. Each purchase supports the Wolof Weavers of Senegal.
Dimensions:
Large: 17"L x 17"W x 21"H
Med: 15"L x 15"W x 18"H
Small: 12"L x 12"W x 14"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.
$185.00
These hampers, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal, bring beautiful modern artisan craftsmanship to homes around the world. These useful baskets are woven in the coil style by binding dried cattail stalks with plastic strips salvaged from a Dakar mat factory. Featuring aqua, green, pink and purple triangles, the combination of natural and synthetic materials beautifully displays modern African artistry.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 18"L x 18"W x 30"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.
$125.00
Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal hand-weave baskets in the traditional coil weaving method, using natural grass. Interweaving colorful strips of plastic, salvaged from a mat factory in Dakar, the weavers brighten up the baskets and create 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.
Dimensions: 17"L x 17"W x 19"H
Crafted from: 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.
$185.00
These hampers, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal, bring beautiful modern artisan craftsmanship to homes around the world. These useful baskets are woven in the coil style by binding dried cattail stalks with plastic strips salvaged from a Dakar mat factory. Featuring aqua, orange, yellow and white triangles, the combination of natural and synthetic materials beautifully displays modern African artistry.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 19"L x 19"W x 30"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.