$34.00
These striking rare baskets are woven by Samburu and Rendille women in remote northern Kenya. Called "nomadic baskets," the baskets are styled for the modern home but based on traditional designs used for the storage of camel's milk.
Nomadic baskets are sold in three useful nesting sizes and are dotted with red beads. Because these baskets are handcrafted, each will vary slightly.
Each basket is tightly knit and is designed to last a lifetime. Sold individually.
Approximate measurements: [L] 7"D x 5"T [M] 5.5"D x 4"T [S] 4.5"D x 4"T.
About the Artisans:
For the pastoral communities of northern Kenya, life pivots on the coming of rain and the survival of livestock. When the skies open, the landscape becomes lush and fragrant. Cattle and goats drink and forage near home and families stay together. In times of drought, warriors must travel far to find water for their herds, leaving women and children at home alone to endure dry seasons of unknown length as the streams, earth and trees dry around them.
Where they were once only allowed to own milk, Samburu women now own camels, plus they earn income by making baskets, processing meat and hides, keeping bees and refining honey. Through this shift in property control and a general increase in literacy in the region, Samburu women have become valued contributing community members.
$40.00
These vibrantly colored bowl baskets make storage beautiful in any room of the home. Handwoven from durable elephant grass and hand-dyed a beautiful red, these baskets are stylish and made to last.
Sold individually. Size: Small: 11-12"L x 11-12"W x 5-6"H Large: 12-13"L x 12-13"W x 7-8"H Sizes will vary. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
$78.00
Skilled Batonga women craft these iconic baskets from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. The weavers artfully elevate single-use plastic bags that would otherwise be discarded to add colorful triangles to their baskets. Baskets will be similar to the photos shown, but there will be some variation due to the handmade nature of this item.
Sold singly in assorted patterns. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 24-25"L x 24-25"W x 5"H
Crafted from: Palm leaves, twigs, recycled plastic
Made in: Zambia
About the Artisans:
Famous for their basket weaving skills as well as their geometric designs, the Batonga women in the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau create these baskets by first weaving palm leaves into a characteristic square to begin and then radiating outward to create dramatic patterns.
$44.00
When the baby Bolga is too small and the classic Bolga is too big, we have something just right: the midsize Bolga basket! This basket features a classic sawtooth weave pattern, in a beautiful mix of red, pink, deep blue, and natural grass. The baskets in this edition are similar but not identical; please see photos for examples.
Measures approximately 12"D x 12"T. Due to the handmade nature of this basket, some variations in color, pattern placement, and size are expected. [Click to read our Statement on Handmade Variation]
$44.00
Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave these useful and durable baskets from sturdy elephant grass, creating bright patterns as they weave. Bolga baskets stand up to any task while remaining functional and beautiful for years. Our new oval shape makes a perfect basket for harvesting fruit, vegetables, or flowers.
Each basket is finished with a leather wrapped handle.
Photos are representative of the general colorway and design, with orange, green, and some accents of blue or berry colors. Because they are handmade, each basket will be unique. [Click to read our Statement on Handmade Variation]
Baskets measure approximately 16" long x 8" wide x 7" tall (to top of basket); 12" tall (to top of handle). Size may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of this product.
$78.00
These striking striped baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania. Each basket includes accent bands of red-dyed grass.
The all-natural baskets are very durable and can be rinsed with cool water and reshaped as needed. Due to the handcrafted nature of these baskets, slight variation may occur.
Approximate Sizes:
Small: 10"H x 10"D
Medium: 12"H x 12"D
Large: 13"H x 13"D
Crafted from: Milulu grass, natural dye
Made in: Tanzania
About the Artisans:
Home of the Hehe people, the city of Iringa is situated 300 miles from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and stretches along a hilltop overlooking the Ruaha River to the south. Iringa is famous for its woven baskets made from local reeds. The baskets are an important source of income for the 100,000 population town and are used across Tanzania and exported worldwide.
$28.00
Artisans in Kenya and Uganda hand weave natural strips of raffia and banana palm leaves to create these gorgeous decorative baskets. Whether displayed on the wall or put to use on the tabletop, each handmade basket serves beautifully.
Size: 12"D x 3.5"T. Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, colors and patterns may vary slightly.
About the Artisans:
Using fiber from banana palm trees that thrive in East Africa's tropical climate, talented artisans create unique home decor. Sustainable and durable, unique banana fiber items are created to stand the test of time.
$10.00
Hand woven elephant grass baskets from the Bolgatanga region of Ghana can be found at farmer's markets around the world.
These miniature Bolga baskets offer a truly sweet way to offer small gifts, or to store small items on the tabletop. Due to the handcrafted nature of these baskets, slight variation may occur.
Dimensions: 3.5-4"L x 2.5-4"W x 4-4.5"H (size will vary)
Crafted from: Elephant grass, dye
Made in: Ghana
$78.00
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 3 sizes. Approximate measurements: Small 10" wide x 10" tall; Medium 12" wide x 12" tall; 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.