BEHIND THE DESIGN: BASKET WEAVING

Practicing a time-honored weaving technique, artisans use a needle and thread to wrap hand-dyed strands of sisal around bunches of sweetgrass- all of which is grown and sourced locally from Rwanda.

BEHIND THE DESIGN: BASKET WEAVING

The result? Tightly coiled, durable baskets in an impressive range of patterns and colors.

“Basket weaving has been an art in Rwanda for as long as I can remember. I am very proud to be part of that tradition.” – Alphonsine, 40, Ibanga Cooperative

For a traditional plateau basket, the bottom coil can take an artisan anywhere from 15 minutes to a full hour to weave. Depending on the size and shape, each completed basket can take one weaver 3-5 days to make!

BEHIND THE DESIGN: BASKET WEAVING

“Weaving together as a group inspires you to work hard and stay committed to the craft! I love advising other women and helping them make beautiful baskets.” – Claudine, 38, Imirasire Cooperative

One of the most challenging aspects of the weaving process for our artisan partners is getting the colors of the dye just right. A lot of time and material can be spent experimenting with colors and mixing dyes to produce the correct tint. Once the right color is made, the women hand-dye strands of sisal and let them dry in the sun to create the signature bright colors of Indego Africa baskets.

BEHIND THE DESIGN: BASKET WEAVING