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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$36.00
The Mountains of the Moon in Uganda contain the most varied and vibrant mountain scenery: from tropical rainforest, through alpine valleys, to snow-capped peaks and glaciers. These lovely baskets feature patterns echoing the shape of mountains, created by Ugandan artisans using vibrantly dyed raffia coiled over banana stalks. This sustainable, colorful art will elevate your wall display—simply hang using its raffia loop. Or, find a myriad of uses for these functional baskets, from the tabletop to the garden.
Sold singly. 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, some with natural dyes, wrapped over coils of banana leaf stems.
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Talented women in rural Rwanda use abundant, natural banana and sisal fibers to weave useful baskets for the home. This basket features pops of blue against white and tan. The petite size has many uses—use your basket to hold jewelry, bedside essentials like lip balm, or keys.
Sold individually. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Made from banana fiber and sisal.
Approximate Size: 7-8" wide x 2" deep
Made in: Rwanda
About the Artisans:
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.
$40.00
These vibrantly colored bowl baskets make storage beautiful in any room of the home. Handwoven from durable elephant grass and hand-dyed a beautiful blue, these baskets are stylish and made to last.
Ideal for home storage and organization, from fruits and vegetables to kids' toys. Can be rinsed and reshaped with cool water as needed.
Sold individually. Size: Small, 11-13.5"D x 6-7.5"T, Large, 14-15"D x 7-8"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
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These beautiful, nature-inspired baskets are handcrafted by Ugandan artisans. Artisans build the baskets by hand-coiling vibrantly dyed raffia over banana stalks. This functional and sustainable art can be displayed on the wall with its raffia loop, or put to use on the tabletop or in the garden.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 3"H
Crafted from: Banana, raffia palm, dye
Made in: 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.
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This beautiful baby bassinet featuring soft blue accents is handcrafted by Ghanaian basket weavers and has leather-wrapped carry handles. Woven from durable elephant grass, it can be easily toted wherever a busy parent needs to go. It also makes a great storage basket once the baby has outgrown it.
Size: 28"L x 18"W x 12"T (to top of basket), 18"T (to top of handles), though it may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of this basket. Handles are reinforced with natural and turquoise leather.
CAUTION: This product is suitable only for babies who cannot sit up unaided, roll over, or push up on their hands and knees and designed for stationary naptime use. Although very sturdy, this is not a carrying device, and babies must be carried separately from the basket when being moved. It should not be placed on slippery surfaces.
Mattress not included.
$28.00
These sweet baskets are just the right size for children's hands to hold—perfect for an Easter basket! Baby Bolga baskets are woven in Ghana using natural elephant grass. Just like our larger Bolga baskets, this tough fiber makes the baskets extremely durable and water-resistant.
Baskets will be a mix of blue and green, but designs and colors are assorted. Each basket is handmade and unique. Each basket is finished a leather-wrapped handle in black and/or brown leather.
Sold individually. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Made from natural elephant grass and leather.
Approximate Size: 8"D x 8"T
Made in: Ghana
Care: Rinse with cool water and reshape as needed. See our Basket Care and Reshaping page to learn more.
$48.00
This classically shaped handbag with leather handles, handwoven from durable sisal by Kenyan experts, will brighten your day no matter the season!
You'll feel great carrying this purse and knowing that it is fair trade and crafted with environmentally friendly materials. Sisal grass is very sustainable in Kenya, and the purse's cow leather is salvaged from local scraps, then cut and conditioned to an beautiful finish.
Measures 8"D x 12"W x 9"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
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!
$78.00
In the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau, skilled Batonga women craft iconic baskets from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. To update their classic designs with beautiful color, weavers tint the palm leaves with textile dye before weaving. These artfully handcrafted baskets make a great addition to any home decor.
Measures 22-23"D x 4"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size and colors may vary slightly.
About the Artisans:
Famous for their basket weaving skills as well as their geometric designs, the Batonga women in the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau create these baskets by first weaving palm leaves into a characteristic square to begin and then radiating outward to create dramatic patterns.
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This beautiful, oversized hamper features a blue geometric design, and is ideal for storing oversized blankets and pillows, or holding several loads of laundry. Handcrafted by skilled Senegalese weavers using plastic strips woven onto dried cattail stalks. Includes braided handles and a fitted lid.
Measures 39"T x 20"W (29" tall without lid).
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This petite hamper features blue and white stripes, and is ideal for storing blankets and pillows. Handcrafted by skilled Senegalese weavers using plastic strips woven onto dried cattail stalks. Includes braided handles and a fitted lid.
Measures 28"T x 17"W (21" tall without lid).