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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These unique baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania.
The baskets feature an open weave design gives them a beautiful lacy appearance. All-natural and un-dyed, the baskets can be rinsed with water as needed.
Sold individually; choose from 3 sizes.
Approximate measurements:
Small 8"D x 8"T.
Medium 10"D x 10"T.
Large 14"D x 12"T.
Due to the handmade nature of these baskets, sizes and designs will vary slightly.Fair trade.
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.
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Measuring 70" long, these handcrafted table runners are created by weaving dried twigs through through hand-dyed mud cloth fabric.
Two lengths of twigs are used to create visual contrast. The fabric is a thick canvas that has been dyed using a mud cloth technique in Mali.
Dimensions: 16"W x 70"L
Crafted from: Dried twigs, cotton, dye
Made in: Mali
About the Artisans:
Mali Chic is a collaboration of 195 artisans that sells its products through a boutique in Bamako and through international exports. Artisans work from home, in their own workshops or on-site at Mali Chic.
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This graceful sculpture, depicting a woman lost in thought, is cast in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method, which uses hand-formed wax to create shapes. Each sculpture is completely one-of-a-kind, so color and shape may vary slightly.
Measures 3.75"L x 2.5"W x 4"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
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This sculpture, depicting grace and a joyful demeanor, is cast in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method, which uses hand-formed wax to create shapes. Each sculpture is completely one-of-a-kind, so color and shape may vary slightly.
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The graceful lines of a ballerina are captured in bronze by artisans in Burkina Faso. Each ballerina is cast from wax then bronze and hand-painted with a delicate aquamarine to add a beautiful contrast.
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Dimensions: 3.5"L x 5"W x 8"H
Crafted from: Bronze, paint
Made in: Burkina Faso
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This beautiful bronze sculpture, cast from solid bronze in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method, celebrates the double blessing that comes to mothers of twins or two children.
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Crafted from: Bronze
Made in: Burkina Faso
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This versatile set of nesting baskets is handwoven using strands of natural and hand-dyed sisal. Versatile and stylish, these baskets are perfect for mixing up storage in any space.
Sold as a set of two nesting baskets. We recommend spraying lightly with cold water to reshape baskets.
Dimensions:
Small: 6"L x 6"W x 6"H
Large: 8"L x 8"W x 8"H
Crafted from: Sisal fiber, dye
Made in: Kenya
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 baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!
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This traditionally shaped basket is handmade in Senegal using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic. The basket's unique design allows for a surprising amount of storage.
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Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal hand-weave baskets in the traditional coil weaving method, using natural grass. Interweaving colorful strips of plastic, salvaged from a mat factory in Dakar, the weavers brighten up the baskets and create designs.
Cattails grow abundantly in rural Senegal, making this natural grass a sustainable choice. The Wolof women earn a sustainable income from basket weaving, while enriching homes around the world with modern African craftsmanship.
This hamper basket features inset handles and a flat lid.
Measures approximately 19" tall by 14" wide.
As with any handmade item, some variation is expected. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.
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Perfect for small storage, these modern African baskets are woven using sustainable natural grasses and thin strips of plastic, upcycled from the local Senegalese prayer mat factory.
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Measures 8.5" tall x 8.5" wide; due to the handmade nature of this item, size may vary slightly. Pattern placement will vary. Fair trade.