SKU: FA.B.BGS13
Beautiful, one-of-a-kind, world-famous, tightly weaved, about 13"Ø (380mm) basket from Binga, northwestern Zimbabwe.
Hand made from natural sustainable (and renewable) vegetation fibers (dried grasses, bark, and ilala palm leaf) by Tonga women. Although the shallow basket originates from traditional methods to separate grains, they are very popular today and sought after as home décor accents. Often displayed as stand-alone single or multiple stacked table decorations or wall ornaments.
Similar size and quality baskets sell for more than $55 (Google Africa Direct) online in the USA and higher in home décor stores. We are able to offer them at moderate prices by contracting directly with the women artisans at fair trade prices. Photographs A through F are the actual basket you will receive i.e. WYSIWYG.
DESIGNS:
Generic = spinning wheels
Click here for a comprehensive and detailed description of the basket in the generic photograph. If you would like a similar description of the basket you are buying write yes in the box titled Full Description. A small administration fee to cover labor will apply and a hard copy will be sent with the basket; electronic copy available at on request.
A = whirlpool
B = spinning wheel
C = whirlpool
D = lightning
E = flower
F = lightning
Each basket has its own individual design, created and expertly hand woven by grandmothers (mostly) and their female wards. Tightly weaved to age old, time-honored methods, passed on from the matriarch to the younger females in her clan. Click here for a picture of one of the young women who weave these beautiful baskets. They take days of dedicated labor to produce. No two baskets, however similar in style, even by the same artisan, are identical or copies. Each one is an original, unique work of museum quality art. Being handcrafted from natural materials some minor imperfections may be anticipated that add rather than detract from the beauty of the basket.
Natural fiber from dried ilala palm leaf (tree only generates from seed that has passed through an elephant’s digestive system) is cut, dried, and prepared for weaving in its natural straw/buff-color or dyed (by boiling roots, berries, leaves, and bark of indigenous flora). Bark and grass fibers are also used in the basket making process. The patterns and designs are often symbolic of local nature, traditional and modern rural life (e.g. guinea fowl patterns, lightning, fish, signs of love, wind in the grass, windmills, etc.). The typical attention to detail and high quality finish that the women painstakingly construct into their baskets can be seen in the pictures. Even the reverse (base or underside) is finished to the same high standard; typical base detail can be seen here.
NB The baskets are produced seasonally. Our prices reflect those paid during the peak weaving season July through October. If a basket is sold, the quantity reads backordered instead of a number for that specific product. A similar product i.e. color and size (design or pattern are harder to replicate but we will try) can be ordered (click on the backordered link for details). If backorder not wanted, remove the item/s from the shopping cart or at checkout.
Nhira 
Kwaze-Kwasa [USA] Inc. 
