Typical Swazi Basket
Swazi baskets are now available at http://www.kendrickimports.com/
These Sisal baskets are hand-woven in Swaziland and are fairly and ethically traded.
The sisal plant is very strong and durable. The leaves of the plant are often used as ropes, in baskets and rugs.
These traditional African baskets from Swaziland are made using strands from the sisal plant. The strands are dried and the fibre is hand –dyed using natural ingredients. The strands are tightly coiled to create a work of art that is both beautiful and functional.
The colours and patterns on the baskets are in the traditional Swazi designs.
Each basket takes about 30 hours to make. The baskets are called “titja” in the native Swazi language and are traditionally woven by Swazi tribeswomen, many of whom depend on the sales of their handiwork as their sole income.
The Swazi basket is a traditional African gift often given to symbolise a long and happy life.
The baskets can be seen at www.kendrickimports.com and make an unusual and colourful gift.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
