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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$78.00
These simple yet durable baskets are hand woven by women in rural Tanzania. Available in three sizes, they are useful in every room of the home. Accents of dyed black milulu grass elevate these traditional baskets as modern decor.
Sold singly, three sizes available. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary.
Dimensions:
Small: 10"D x 10"H
Medium: 11-12"D x 12"H
Large: 13"D x 13"H
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.
$42.00
Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, skilled basket-weavers in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality sisal baskets inspired by nature. Tightly woven, these all natural baskets can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread, organizing toys or just hanging on your wall to add for unique home decoration.
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.
$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.
$48.00
Using locally harvested cattail stalks and strips of plastic used to make prayer mats, a network of rural Wolof women in nine Senegalese villages work together to create beautiful handcrafted baskets such as this lidded basket.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 14"H
Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic strips
Made in: Senegal
$115.00
Handwoven in the West African nation of Senegal, these outstanding baskets bring incredible artisan craftsmanship and great storage into our living spaces.
Originally created with an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women and the Peace Corps in an effort to improve quality of life in Senegal, the baskets are tightly woven and will last for years to come with little to no maintenance.
Dimensions: 17"L x 17"W x 22"H
Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic
Made in: Senegal
Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, design placement and shape will vary slightly. See our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more.
$54.00
Using strands of natural and hand-dyed sisal extracted from agave plants, women living in remote areas of rural Kenya earn income by crafting beautiful baskets for chic storage with a textural look. Woven to last, sisal baskets can be reshaped using cold water.
Size: 10"D x 13"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of the item, it may vary slightly.
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!
$185.00
Designed with durability in mind, this Senegal laundry hamper has a modern look with black, white, and silver plastic strips recycled from prayer mat factories that are woven with dried cattail stalks. Fitted lid has black braided handles.
Dimensions: 16"L x 16"W x 26-28"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
Woven by Wolof craftswomen, these African hampers have a modern look with black, white, and silver plastic strips recycled from prayer mat factories. Designed with durability in mind, each basket features a flat lid and cutout handles.
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.
$36.00
These striking baskets feature a natural cream swirl design set against black raffia and are handcrafted by coiling raffia over banana stalks by Ugandan artisans. This functional art can be displayed on the wall with its raffia loop or put to use on the tabletop.
Sold singly, available in two sizes. Because these are handcrafted items, colors and patterns may vary slightly.
Dimensions:
Small: 10"D x 2.5"H
Medium: 12"D x 3"H
Crafted from: Raffia palm, banana stalks, natural dyes
Made in: Kenya, Uganda
About the Artisans:
Uganda Crafts 2000 Limited, a member of the International Fair Trade Association teaches basic handcrafting skills to rural & urban women and provides income opportunities for the marginalised and disadvantaged: people with disabilities, widows, orphans, single mothers, women with minimal education, and people living with HIV. They handcraft baskets using natural raffia wrapped over coils of banana leaf stems.
$42.00
Perfect for small storage, these modern African baskets are woven using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic.
Each basket features silver accents and includes a fitted lid with braided pull handle. The sale of the baskets helps support a network of rural Senegalese craftswomen and their families.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 8.5"L x 8.5"W x 8.5"H
Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic strips
Made in: Senegal