- You will receive the exact basket pictured above, woven by Edare Sembonda.
- These Botswana baskets, representing some of the highest quality baskets woven today, spring from the people living in earth’s largest inland delta. Created from the Okavango river, which spills into the sands of the Kalahari Desert instead of the ocean, the delta contains one of the continent’s most diverse and abundant populations of animals.
- Women of the Bayei and Hambukushu tribal groups painstakingly create this art from “mokola” palm tree fiber coil-woven around grass or vine.
- The bark and roots from two different trees are used to make the dye colors, as are decomposing sorghum husks and the leaves of a special shrub.
- Traditionally, these beautiful decorative open bowls are used by women for winnowing grain or carrying things on their heads.
- Time taken to weave a larger art basket is often measured in months or even years.
- Pricing is according to the weaving quality and size of the basket. Two baskets the same size, but with different weave qualities will be priced differently according to the quality of the weaving.
- These deep baskets make lovely accent pieces on tables or shelves.
- Dimensions are approximate, but we do strive to get the measurements accurate within 1/2 inch. Please review the size of this item carefully using a ruler or tape measure before your purchase. See our Shopping FAQs for more information.
Weaving Baskets in Botswana
Women of the Bayei and Hambukushu tribal groups painstakingly create this art from ‘mokola’ palm tree fiber coil woven around grass or vine. The bark and roots from 2 different trees are used to make the dye colors, as are decomposing sorghum husks and shrub leaves.