Happy Mother’s Day!

The relationship of mothers and their children is a topic that we often address when we write about the different baskets we represent. Our weavers are almost all women. They weave at home, at the end of the day or during breaks from their farming duties.

Shona Artist Letwin Mugavasi & Family

The weavers are not only earning income to support their families, but they are also keeping alive a tradition that has been passed on from mother to daughter for many generations.

Often the purpose or creation of a basket is steeped in tradition, as well:

·      Large Ukhamba baskets are traditional wedding presents;
·      In Kenya, a bride’s grandmother will present her with jewelry in a beaded woven box;
·      The natural dyes used for many of our baskets are carefully guarded family recipes, so baskets made by mother and daughter often have similar styles.

By purchasing one of these unique baskets, you are contributing to the preservation of African culture and the weavers’ financial independence.

Kenya Beaded Boxes, Set of 3

Zulu weaver Nomkhosi Nkosi

The Five Best Baskets to Give as Gifts

At Baskets of Africa, our collection of Fair Trade baskets covers all color palettes and purposes. Here are our top five basket choices for different folks on your list.

Zulu Wire Bowls and Cup

  1 - Woven Wire Baskets from Zululand
$17 — $200
Whether you want to give a few small pieces as a desk set, or a platter to decorate a countertop or wall, the vibrant colors and swirling designs make Zulu wire a lovely gift. Have a “tech” person on your gift list?  These bowls were featured on the WireCutter as a “cool fusion of traditional art using modern materials.”

2 - Lidded Baskets
$24 — $80
Put a little something (Swazi jewelry, perhaps?) in one of these charming lidded baskets, add a bow, and…voilà! The recipient has a beautiful keepsake basket. We have several lidded baskets to choose from, including nesting peace baskets from Rwanda, colorful Rwenzori baskets from Uganda, beaded baskets from Kenya, and earthy pots from Botswana and South Africa.

Market Baskets from Ghana

3 - Bolga Baskets from Ghana
$16.50 — $245
This is a gift that will come in handy all year, and last for years to come. The small baskets are great for creating your own gift basket, or give a larger basket that can be used for shopping. Ghana Bolga baskets are beautiful, strong, and versatile.

4 - Sparkly Beaded Bowls from Kenya
$25 — $65
Artists in Kenya take shimmering glass beads, string them on wire, and weave the wire into bowls. The result is a cheerful, colorful, affordable gift that will be sure to please.

Rwenzori Bowl with Floral Pattern

5 - Rwenzori Weaving from Uganda
$27 —$134
From small bowls to serving trays and cups, Rwenzori weaving features colorful, geometric designs. So pretty! HGTV featured these baskets as one of their favorite items to decorate a wall.