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.
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This sweet sculpture of a toucan is hand carved from soapstone by artisans in Kenya's Kisii Highlands. Each bird is hand painted with colorful orange and red dye.
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African baskets bring amazing artisan craftsmanship into our living spaces, such as these useful bath bins, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 13"H
Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic
Made in: Senegal
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A perfect way to blend storage and art, these incredibly useful cream and yellow handmade baskets are woven using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic from the local prayer mat factory.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 16-17"L x 14-15"W x 10"H
Crafted from: Plastic strips, cattail stalks
Made in: Senegal
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With a snug fitting lid, our warming baskets are handwoven in Senegal by a master Wolof craftswoman. They are a perfect way to present baked goods to loved ones, to create a memorable gift basket of your own design, or a stylish way to tuck away items.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 13"L x 13"W x 15"T
Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic strips
Made in: Senegal
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This natural sisal storage basket is sprinkled with cheerful yellow pom poms. These eye-catching baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 10"H
Crafted from: Sisal, yarn
Made in: Kenya
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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!
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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
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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.
$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 widespread appeal.
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$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