Journey with us as we explore and expand on the significance of African market baskets and how they stand out as vibrant symbols of African heritage and artistry. Rooted deeply in the culture of Ghana’s Northern Region, these woven carry-alls are more than just practical items-they are cultural treasures that continue to carry the rich history and artistry of their makers.
The Origins and Craftsmanship
Bolga baskets, named after the Bolgatanga region where they originate, are a testament to the skills of the people of Ghana. These baskets have been crafted over centuries. Using traditional techniques passed down through generations of women and men, each basket is hand-woven from durable elephant grass. These are baskets that showcase their intricate patterns with an array of colors.
The artistry behind Bolga baskets is so much more than just a handicraft; it’s a cultural ritual. Every twist and weave tells a story, capturing the spirit of African daily life. The process of making these baskets involves meticulous skill, patience, resilience and persistance.
Identified by their bright, striking colours these hand-made straw baskets originate from the town of Bolgatanga, (hence the name ‘Bolga’), in northern Ghana.
The main reason for basket weaving in this region is due to the poor fertility of the soil around Bolgatanga, making it unsuitable for extensive agricultural activities. The region also suffers from erratic rainfall patterns and harsh weather conditions, meaning they can only grow enough to sustain their families, leaving nothing to take to market.
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Traditionally, it is believed that bolga baskets were created by a man from the Zaare community in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The man popularly known as Ahinbinge was a disabled person who created the basket after observing birds making their nests. He created his basket with no idea what it would be used for, but it transpired that bolga baskets were very useful as colanders to separate millet and water from the millet waste.
Bolga baskets are made by the intricate weaving of long ‘straws’ of dried elephant grass, bought by artisans in big bundles from markets. The natural grass lends the baskets their durability and flexibility and allows the weavers to create wonderful patterns and shapes.
All the Bolga baskets are hand-made in a long and laborious process. Through splitting, rolling, twisting and weaving, the baskets slowly come to life over 3 to 5 days in all shapes and sizes. Once the right straws have been selected, (a crucial skill), the bundles are dyed a myriad of bright colours to then be woven to the selected design.
Bolga baskets are incredibly strong and durable. Due to the nature of the weave and materials used, they can be flattened, filled and used every day with very little wear. As well as being fantastically functional, Bolga baskets earn a gold medal in the eco-credential stakes.
Traditionally, the majority of basket makers are women who are subsistence farmers - that is, they rely almost exclusively on the land for their food and livelihood. Unsurprisingly, the weather in northern Ghana is relentlessly hot, which makes farming tough work.
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Bolga baskets are 100% fair trade. Because of the demand for these marvellous baskets from across the globe, the artisans are able to sell in an open market. Fair trade benefits everyone in the community, especially women artisans, who are paid a fair wage for their work. On top of that, you can feel good about your basket every day.
Designed by AARVEN and made to Fair Trade standards, our bolga basket bags are produced using natural materials. Locally known as Kinkanhe, the grass grows with broom-like flowers which are removed for weaving. The straw is cut leaving the roots in the soil to regenerate. The elephant grass is trimmed to even lengths and then dried.
The Baba Tree has its headquaters in Bolgatanga in Ghana's Upper East region and this Co-Operative employs dozens of weavers, sometimes up to the 100's if a special order is required. They produce amazingly beautiful shapes and designs in all colours, both bright and natural.
African basketry is a dynamic craft, altered by social changes and shaped by both environmental and economic factors. its production process. Less secular uses for traditional basket containers include money banks, jewelry boxes and divination vessels. These normally have lids and can be quite complex in design which reflect their significance.
Traditional Materials and Techniques
Traditional fibers used in basketry reflect the local habitat. They include illala palm, sisal leaves and fiber, raffia (African bamboo), fibrous tree and plant roots such as makenge, vines, leaves (banana and fan palm), cane, bark wood and papyrus.
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Two types of vegetative fiber are normally used to make a coiled basket, one for the inner coil and one for the wrapping of the coils. For example, in Uganda and Rwanda, baskets are woven from raffia or papyrus wrapped and stitched around a coil of banana leaf stems.
Before the actual weaving can take place, the fiber has to be prepared which according to the character of the twine can be an extremely lengthy process. This is especially so if it needs to be dyed as well as made pliant. A fiber such as sisal needs to be stripped, cleaned and spun by hand, a process which can take up to 16 hours for a medium size basket.
The design of the basket is created by weaving with different colours. Patterning can be in the form of decorative bands or geometric shapes; lozenges, triangles, diamonds, star or flower shapes, zigzags, swirls or chequerboard motifs.
The design of the pattern can be emphasized by the use of different contrasting colours or the fiber can be left in its natural state producing lovely textural effects. Weaving an intricate design into the basket can be equally lengthy a task as preparing the fiber.
While a community will have hundreds of weavers, only a handful will acquire this status and they will be almost wholly female.
Given this wide dispersal of product, bright, colourful commercial dyestuffs have been applied to widen their appeal and make them ‘market-friendly’.
Uses and Significance
Bolga baskets usefully versatile, and can seamlessly transition from practical use to stunning home decor.
- Round Bolga Baskets: These classic baskets are perfect for everyday use. Their sturdy construction and stylish design make them ideal for carrying groceries, organizing household items, or even as charming planters.
- Market Baskets: Traditionally used for carrying goods to and from markets, these baskets are as practical as they are beautiful. The strenght in their design and comfortable handles ensure they can handle a variety of tasks, from shopping trips to picnics.
- Hamper Baskets: Ideal for organizing and storing, hamper baskets are a stylish solution for keeping your space tidy. Whether used for laundry, toys, or craft supplies, these baskets add a touch of rustic charm while helping you maintain order.
- Mega Wawa Baskets: These oversized baskets are perfect for larger storage needs. Their impressive size makes them ideal for organizing bulky items, from blankets to seasonal clothing.
- Bolga Pot Baskets: Featuring a unique shape designed to hold various items, these baskets are perfect for use as planters or decorative pieces.
The significance of Bolga baskets extends beyond their practical uses; they are a joyous celebration of African culture and artistry. Each basket reflects the deep connection between the artisans and their natural environment. The vibrant colors and intricate designs are inspired by the natural beauty of Ghana.
By incorporating Bolga baskets into your home, you’re not only adding a touch of rustic style and functionality but also supporting traditional artisans and preserving an important cultural heritage.
Other Types of African Baskets
1. Handwoven ‘Wishing’ Baskets from Uganda
These grass-woven baskets are crafted by women living near the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwest Uganda. (Bwindi means “impenetrable” or “place of darkness”.) It’s home to exotic plants and endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla.
For thousands of years, indigenous people called the “Batwa” - also known as “keepers of the forest” - lived here. In the 1990s, it became a National Park and is now part of the World Heritage List. Unfortunately, this has meant that the Batwa people, who had lived sustainably from the forest’s resources for many generations, were forced to leave. Many now live in poverty at the border of the National Park, facing homelessness and discrimination. Denied an education, they have to do menial work for minimal income.
The Batwa women have a vast traditional knowledge of local herbs, leaves, roots and berries. Only these natural ingredients go into the dyes that colour their beautiful products. The intricate patterns are shaded in earthy tones, inspired by the landscapes and plants of their homeland.
The Batwa call the smaller lidded baskets ‘wishing baskets’. They believe your wishes will come true if you make a wish upon an object and put it in the basket.
2. Uduseke “Peace” Baskets from Rwanda
“Uduseke” are traditional Rwandese woven baskets with a flat circular base, a distinctive shape and fitted lid. (A single basket is known as “Agaseke”.) Interestingly, Rwandan women were traditionally taught how to weave these storage baskets by their mothers and grandmothers.
Although the baskets were part of Rwandese culture for centuries, they took on a new meaning after the Rwandan civil war and genocide in 1994. Fair trade peace baskets are made by 12 ladies who tragically lost their spouses and families during the genocide. Fleeing their villages, they arrived in Kigali, where life continued to be extremely challenging.
Traumatised and without income, they realised their only chance of survival would be to put their basket weaving skills to good use. The women started selling their products locally. This is when they met Callum Henderson from Comfort International, who helped them by selling their baskets outside of Rwanda, including to the Western market.
So, if you buy Uduseke baskets, you don’t just get beautifully crafted home storage solutions, but you directly improve the lives of this community of women artisans!
Their lives have changed for the better. Some have even been able to buy homes and pay the school fees for their children.
The women weave the baskets with natural raw materials, such as sweet grass, sisal fibres, banana leaves or raffia. The fibres are woven into concentric circles, which form the base of the baskets. A large basket takes around a week to weave.
There are many patterns, all with their own significance. The classic zigzag pattern is said to represent two women holding hands, signifying friendship, peace and Rwandese unity.
The Uduseke baskets were traditionally used to store jewellery and food. They were also a traditional wedding gift from the groom to the bride’s family, symbolising not only the ‘purity’ of his new wife, but also her promise to keep his and his family’s secrets from now on. The bride would usually keep the baskets in her room.
Today, peace baskets are still one of Rwanda’s finest and most well-known craft products.
3. Hand-Woven Baskets from Eswatini
Special handcrafted storage baskets are made in the deprived and often marginalised rural areas of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Beautiful products are woven by 13 groups of women artisans in Eswatini, who live in the most remote rural areas. They can work from home, so they are able to look after their own and orphaned children in their local community.
Their wonderful goods are commissioned by the fair trade company Gone Rural, which has been empowering women in rural Swazi communities since the 1970s. Importantly, all women negotiate the prices Gone Rural pay, and they receive between 47 - 52% of the wholesale price of each item sold.
Handmade baskets are made from Lutindzi grass and Lukhasi reed. Lunditzi grass is harvested sustainably every year from the Eswatini mountains. Lukhasi is a stronger, thicker reed, which forms the core of sturdier products.
The long grass is dyed in non-toxic colours and woven, using traditional Swazi plaiting techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. The Lavumisa weaving technique is only used in the rural Lavumisa area of Eswatini and uses a tight, stitched weave that ensures the end product is very sturdy.
All Lutindzi grass products are water- and stain-resistant. Many of the patterns are inspired by the artisans’ personal lives.
Families in Eswatini traditionally use the baskets for food storage, but you can also hang them up as beautiful and unique wall decor, fill them to create fair trade gift hampers, or simply store treasured knick-knacks or toys in them.
The Role of Basketry in Empowering Women
There is hardly a country in Africa that does not have an indigenous group of people that exhibit some form of basket craft. What it means is that basketry is a form of employment for many African women and elevates their status and power base within their social environments.
There are many organized workshops and institutions that help these women successfully market their product. Basketry cooperatives bring income to rural areas and keep the craft traditions alive.
Rufina Designs: A Passion for African Craft
Back in 2018, I turned my love for crafting African accessories into Rufina Designs , right from my bedroom. It’s been an exciting ride ever since as I’ve delved into the vibrant world of African accessories.
In conclusion, African woven baskets hold a unique story - one of tradition, skill, and caring for the earth. When you buy a basket from Rufina Designs, you’re doing a lot of good. You’re helping the artisans and their families, keeping age-old crafts alive, and supporting practices that are good for our world.
