WOLOF WEAVERS OF RURAL SENEGAL
This coil style of basket weaving has been practiced in Senegal for generations. Traditionally, Wolof women created baskets by binding stalks of cattail grass, a thick local grass, with long strips of reed. Though reed strips could be harvested locally, they were very hard on the hands of the weavers. About 20 years ago, an idea revolutionized Wolof basket weaving. A factory in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, creates mats using plastic strips that strongly resemble the reed strips. Using the plastic strips to replace the sharp natural material, conditions for the weavers drastically improved and the baskets began to burst into vibrant colors.
Since 2008, Swahili has worked with a group of talented Wolof weavers in remote Senegal to design hampers and baskets woven from the salvaged plastic strips and cattail stalks. First introduced by the Peace Corps, Swahili and more than 120 Wolof women prove that cooperative, home-based craft export is an excellent way for rural women to earn fair trade incomes that build healthy communities.
Related Products
$24.00
"Children are the reward of life."
Stash cosmetics, art supplies, or other small items in this sweet pouch from South Africa! The gusseted bottom adds extra space to this small-but-mighty pouch. Beautifully screen printed, fully lined, backed with a coordinating pattern fabric, and finished with a contrasting zipper and ribbon pull; showcases the African proverb, "Children are the reward of life."
Size: 9.5"L x 6.5"T x 2"D. Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
About the Artisans:
At Yda Walt Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, talented owner/designer Yda Walt and a small team of artisans dream up inspirational products centered on South African life and ethos.
$125.00
Bringing style to storage, this sunny cream and yellow handmade basket is woven in rural Senegal using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic from the local prayer mat factory. It features a flat lid with cutout handles. Beautifully handwoven, these lidded baskets are a fun and different way to store everything from toys to craft supplies, linens to laundry.
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.
$52.00
African baskets bring amazing artisan craftsmanship into our living spaces, such as these bright and useful bin baskets, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal. Try it as a small storage bin, for holding a potted plant, or with a liner as a bathroom waste bin.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 13"H (size may vary slightly)
Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic
Made in: Senegal
$44.00
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.
$44.00
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 widespread appeal.
[back_in_stock]30[/back_in_stock]
$68.00
Fair trade from Senegal, this handcrafted basket is a lovely storage solution for toys, towels, and knitting supplies.
Each basket yellow stripe design. The basket is hand-woven by Senegalese artisans using natural grasses and salvaged plastic strips.
Approximate Dimensions: 16-17"L x 14-15"W x 10"H
Crafted from: Plastic strips, cattail stalks
Made in: Senegal