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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$15.00
Utilizing remnants of colorful Zulugrass, Maasai artisans are designing one-of-a-kind strands to symbolize the bright futures of educated children. Buy Zulugrass=Educate Kids. The Leakey Collection will donate 100% of their profits from the sales of these bracelets to pay for teachers' salaries in rural Kenya. Each 26" strand is packaged on a special tag explaining how the proceeds will be allocated. Wear it wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle, or long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
This bracelet will feature a variety of colors; each one is unique.
$9.00
These African wine stoppers are cast from zinc and electroplated with an antique brass finish. Each sits atop a standard sized cork and measures 1.75"T x 1.25"L.
Sold individually. Choose from Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Cheetah, Giraffe, or Hippo.
The stoppers come to us from an eco-friendly, brass casting company in Cape Town known its community outreach and original products.
About the Artisans:
Roots of Creation is a South African company known for their innovate brass and metal products. They have been in the casting business for over 20 years, during which time they have built a reputation for high-quality and original product design.
$365.00
Designed to showcase flowers as if they were an ostrich's plumes, these handmade African sculptures are are welded outside of Nairobi using recycled oil drums and scrap metal. Each ostrich is crafted from the ground up and exhibits its own unique characteristics.
The sculptures can be displayed inside or outside of the home and are one-of-a-kind. Because they are made of metal, the ostrich planters will develop a patina when exposed to the elements.
Large measures 6 feet tall, with a planter basket that measures 21"D x 8.5"T. Smaller size measures 5 feet tall, with a planter basket that measures 15"D x 6"T. Sizes may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of this item.
Extra shipping fees are required for this oversized item. Please scroll down for more information.
About Shipping:
Shipping for oil drum sculptures requires a pallet and starts at $200. With freight costs increasing in 2021-22, we have seen costs as high as $400-$650.
After your purchase, we will work with a freight company to determine the exact shipping cost for the pallet to your location, from our warehouse in Oregon. We will contact you via email about the additional shipping fees.
We can also create this shipping quote at any time during the ordering process! Please email us at info@swahilimodern.com with your full shipping address to get started.
About the Artisans:
Moses and his small workshop of craftsmen build their own welding machines out of copper coil, tape, steel rod, and a sheet metal housing in order to create these spectacular metal works of art. Moses began his artistic career making furniture, but quickly switched to sculpture after an interested European buyer created a demand for his works abroad.
$15.00
The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from each Beads for Clean Water Zulugrass strand to the “Clean Water for Every Home” project; the goal - put a water dispensing unit, locally called a “leak-tin” in every Maasai home in the area. Clean water for drinking and washing helps stop the spread of life threatening disease and illness. Each strand is packaged on a special tag--explaining how the proceeds will be allocated--and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$48.00
Six beautiful strands of 26" Zulugrass to wear all together or in any grouping of 1 or more to make a wide variety of color combinations. Strung on elastic, it can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, anklet, hair tie and more. To wear as a bracelet, just wrap each strand around your wrist 3-4 times.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$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.
$88.00
These authentic African mud cloths are handmade by artisans in Mali who grow and weave their own cotton. Each cloth is hand-dyed with fermented mud that has been stained with plant leaves.
The fabric features hemmed edges on two sides and can be used as a table cloth, wall hanging, or throw blanket.
Measures 44"W x 70"L. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, design will vary. For best care, hand wash in cool water and air dry.
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, and child labor is never used. Mali Chic provides artisans with 50% advances on all orders and pay a fair price for their products.
$68.00
Measuring 70" long, these handmade table runners are created by weaving dried twigs through through hand-dyed mudcloth fabric.
Two lengths of twigs are used to create visual contrast. The fabric is a thick canvas that has been dyed using a mudcloth technique in Mali.
Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
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.
$15.00
The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from these specially designed 26" Zulugrass strands to their Girls Graduation program to counsel young rural girls and their families on the importance of staying in school. Each strand is packaged on a special tag, explaining how the proceeds will be allocated, and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$15.00
Proceeds from 26" Beads for Healthy Gardens Zulugrass strands support the Leakey Collection's “Healthy Garden” project, which educates Maasai women to plant vitamin and mineral rich home gardens. Most rural pregnancy and birth issues, as well as child development problems, can be eradicated by eating a healthy diet. Each strand is packaged on a special tag—explaining how the proceeds will be allocated—and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass in a mix of garden greens, blues, and purplesÑeach bracelet is unique. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
$128.00
Talented welders and metal artisans craft these unique recycled metal ostrich planters from washers, nuts and other salvaged metal pieces. Available in three sizes, these unique sculptures can be used to hold a variety of items inside the home and outdoors.
The sculptures can be displayed inside or outside of the home, and because they are created from salvaged materials, each planter is one-of-a-kind. Due to the nature of the metal, the sculptures will develop a patina when exposed to the elements.
- Small planter measures approximately 40"T with a planter basket that measures 8"D x 4"T.
- Medium planter measures approximately 48"T with a planter basket that measures 8.5"D x 4.5"T.
- Large planter measures approximately 56-59"T with a planter basket that measures 10"D x 5"T.
Due to the handcrafted nature of these planters, size may vary slightly.
The bottom of each sculpture is porous by design, so consideration should be given during planting, such as lining the planter with moss.
About the Artisans:
Moses and his small workshop of craftsmen build their own welding machines out of copper coil, tape, steel rod, and a sheet metal housing in order to create these spectacular metal works of art. Moses began his artistic career making furniture, but quickly switched to sculpture after an interested European buyer created a demand for his works abroad.