SKU: FA.B.BGS17
This beautiful, one-of-a-kind, world-famous, tightly weaved basket of about between 16 and 18"Ø is made from natural sustainable vegetation resources (dried grasses, bark, and ilala palm leaf) in Binga, northwestern Zimbabwe by Tonga women. Although the hand woven shallow basket originates from traditional uses for separating grains and as lids for containers, they are great stand-alone accents or wall ornaments. Similar size baskets sell for more than $80 (Google Africa Direct) in the USA. We are able to offer them at moderate prices by contracting directly with the female artisans at fair trade prices. Each basket has its own individual design, created and expertly hand woven (mostly) by grandmothers and their female wards 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. 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 used in the basket making process.
The patterns used are often symbolic of local nature and traditional and modern rural life (guinea fowl patterns, lightning, fish, signs of love, wind in the grass, windmills, etc.). They take days of dedicated labor to produce. 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 side (or underside) is finished to the same high standard and the typical base detail can be seen if you click here.
No two baskets, however similar in style, even by the same artisan, are the same; each one is an original, unique work of art of museum quality. Being handcrafted from natural materials some minor imperfections may be anticipated that add rather than detract from the beauty of the basket. Photographs A through F are the actual basket you will receive (WYSIWYG).
DESIGNS:
Generic = Flowers
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 = scorpion
B = gnu (wildebeest)
C = windmill
D = gnu (wildebeest)
E = my head spins
F = spinning wheels
NB The baskets are seasonal and the prices quoted and availability are for the peak weaving season July through October. Should a basket be 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. 
