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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$550.00
These intricate, one-of-a-kind Zulu baskets are handcrafted in South Africa using woven Ilala palm, which is naturally dyed to create beautifully natural tones. Featuring a fitted lid and beautiful pattern, each is unique and artfully crafted. Large baskets can take more than a month to hand-weave!
Bulb-shaped zulu baskets, called ukhamba, are traditionally used to carry liquids, like home-brewed beer. When liquid is poured into the ukhamba, the basket fibers swell to become watertight; the outside of the basket sweats, cleverly keeping the liquid cool by evaporation. The baskets are usually very decorative and colorful, with natural dyes created from roots, barks, aloe, berries, mud, and even boiled cow dung.
One of a kind. Measures 17" D x 21" T.
About the Artisans:
These gorgeous baskets are handwoven by women of the Zulu tribe in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Woven primarily by women, Zulu baskets are a traditional handicraft and a reliable source of income for artisans and their families. Handwoven using materials including Ilala palm and ncebe (banana bark), the intricate weave and patterning of the baskets make them both durable and beautiful.
$32.00
Carved from solid stone, this sweet, stylized sculpture is crafted by a Zimbabwean stone sculptor through a process of texturing and polishing springstone. Each wide-eyed owl will be unique, as no two stones are the same; the sculptures highlight the natural coloring and veining of this valued stone.
Small measures 3.5" tall x 3" wide x 2" deep. Large measures 5" tall x 4" wide x 3" deep. Variation is expected due to the handcrafted nature of this item.
About the Artisans:
Zimbabwean sculptors work with springstone, which is a prized dark stone that polishes to a high shine because of its density. Most springstone is sustainably sourced and is mined on communal lands for the purpose of sculpting.
$64.00
These beautiful handcrafted pillows from Le Ndomo in Mali feature cotton mudcloth and include a pillow insert. This intricate pattern is hand-dyed.
The pillows are finished on the backside in a foldover enclosure. The cover measures 18"x 18"and included pillow insert measures 20" x 20". Natural cotton that is carded, spun, woven and dyed by hand may include variations in color and texture. This is an expected feature of handmade cloth.
About the Artisans:
Le Ndomo is a social enterprise created to address the unemployment problem of young people who have not had the chance to study or to attend school. Ndomo aims to give these young people training with local knowledge: In addition to technical training, it also aims to assist young people in life by facilitating their socialization and by giving them values that will increase the quality of their lives; responsibility, personal commitment, work and solidarity, in strict compliance with the values of traditional African society.
$135.00
Artistic creativity abounds within the striking geometric block design of this handcrafted, organic cotton throw. Patterns will be similar to the photo but will vary according to the vision of the artisan who hand-dyed this beautiful mudcloth.
Measures approximately 46"W x 72"L. Natural cotton that is carded, spun, woven and dyed by hand will include variations in color and texture. Authentic mudcloth is a rustic textile with charming imperfections and an unfinished reverse side (see photos). Hemmed at top and bottom, with raw selvedge on the sides. For best care, hand wash in cool water and air dry.
About the Artisans:
Le Ndomo is a social enterprise created to address the unemployment problem of young people who have not had the chance to study or to attend school. Ndomo aims to give these young people training with local knowledge: In addition to technical training, it also aims to assist young people in life by facilitating their socialization and by giving them values that will increase the quality of their lives; responsibility, personal commitment, work and solidarity, in strict compliance with the values of traditional African society.
$40.00
This handcrafted apron by Tribal Textiles features an authentic African design depicting circles and traditional emblems on a background of Maasai Rust. The apron comes with neck strap and ties that have double thickness for durability, and it can be washed by hand or machine in warm water with mild detergent. Hang to dry.
Measures 34" tall x 27" wide, 44.5" height to top of neckband, each strap 28" long. Design and colors may vary very slightly from image shown due to the handpainted nature of the product.
About the Artisans:
Tribal Textiles provides sustainable employment, fair pay, training, and a pleasant working environment for more than 100 Zambian men and women.
All the work is done by hand on 100% African-sourced cottonâ including the time-intensive drawing, sewing and painting with natural pigment colorsâ yielding exquisite, high quality textiles. Individual designs are hand-painted, drawing inspiration from the stunning wildlife and surroundings at the edge of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. After baking in an industrial oven, the stunning textiles are color-fast and fully washable. The fabric is washed and dried in the Zambian sunshine, ready to be sewn into stunning pillow covers, table runners, bags, and more.
$16.50
Delicious and pure, this honey is unlike any honey available in North America. Gathered using sustainable methods from the national park forests of Tanzania, this floral, full-flavored honey features the flavors and scents of the miombo forest.
Pesticide free, organic, sustainable. Measures 500g/ 17.64 oz.
Producer Profile:
The African Bronze Honey Project is a for-profit, social enterprise B Corp, partnered with Forest Fruits of Zambia, committed to sustainable practice and preserving traditional heritage while creating economic opportunity for independent beekeepers and their families. Today, there are over 6,000 beekeepers trained and over 800 tonnes of organic, raw, wild honey exported every year.
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$38.00
Hand-carved by Kamba artisans in Kenya, this set of three stylish and practical spoons are a great addition to any kitchen.
The spoons are carved from a single piece of sustainably sourced olive wood and will last for decades with simple care.
Large: 8"L x 2.5"W x 0.5"T Medium: 7"L x 2.25"W x 0.5"T Small: 6"L x 2"W x 0.25"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
About the Artisans:
We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.
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$315.00
These radiant sculptures are cast from solid bronze in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method. This sculpture features a beautiful figure carrying two pots.
A beautiful gift, this figure is limited edition, only two available. Measures 18"T x 7"W x 5"D.
$250.00
This one-of-a-kind shield features hand-carved geometric lines. Carved from a single piece of wood, this piece is beautiful mounted on a wall or displayed using a stand.
Only one available. Shield measures approximately 20-21" diameter and 2.5" deep.
About the Artisans:
Hand-carved shields from Cameroon are artfully crafted from single pieces of wood. Featuring a variety of intricate designs and patterns, these shields are truly unique pieces.
$28.00
Nairobi artisans complement the organic shapes of dried gourds, which grow prolifically in Africa, with a beautiful dip-dyed finish.
Because gourds are an organic item, each shape is completely one-of-a-kind, and gourds may feature small blemishes. See images for reference, sets will vary.
Sold in sets of three or four. Sets of four include one of each color gourd. Sets of three include three of the same color. Size: approximately 3.5" - 4.5"D x 4.5" - 6"T.
About the Artisans:
At the Ndima Crafts' finishing shop in Nairobi's industrial district, roughly a dozen artisans of varied ethnicities transform raw materials into art under the leadership of Charles Ndibe. Charles' exacting standards of quality and friendly demeanor make him one of Swahili Modern's most reliable vendors.
