Market baskets are used traditionally in West Africa to carry produce to and from markets or farms.
*Woven in an assortment of colors and patterns, all decided by the artisans who weave them. Every basket is one-of-a-kind, woven with a deep cultural and spiritual meaning, for a beautiful surprise! Please note that you will be receiving one basket out of an assorted colorful collection. Colors and fabric designs are subject to change.
Measurements: 15” x 14” x 9" - size varies
Care Instructions: To reshape your basket, dunk liberally into water, mold and re-shape to your liking, and air dry thoroughly. Avoid direct light for best color retention.
Materials: Vetiver grass, *product contains upcycled leather materials
Artisan Organization: TradeAID International
Country: Bolgatanga, Ghana
Straw basket weaving is a common trade in northern Ghana, especially in the Upper East Region, where mostly women execute this incredible craft. The Handwoven African Market Baskets utilize a very intricate process –– it can take up to seven days to complete one basket!
Akugre Alebipoorum is one of TradeAID’s weavers. She is in her late sixties and lives in Sumbrungu, a suburb of Bolgatanga. Akugre has been weaving baskets for 20 years to earn enough income to care for herself and her family. Thanks to TradeAID’s weaving center, she and her fellow weavers can now sit and do their weaving comfortably. And with the introduction of fair trade payments, she is able to save enough money in the rural bank so she can pay her children’s school fees, unlike how she was previously living, from hand to month.
Basket weaving with TradeAID has changed Akugre’s life and the lives of many other women in her community. And working with Globeln, which provides a steady stream of orders, enables her to continue to provide food for her children and meet all of her other needs.
Akugre loved seeing her photo (with the basket she made!) so much that she asked our photographer if she could have a copy for herself, which he happily supplied.
After reading mixed reviews last year about this basket in Assorted Blues, I took a chance and ordered one. The one I received is absolutely beautiful. And perfectly fits into my decor. Shades of Turquoise, green, and Navy blue. I need to do a little more shaping, but I'm in love with this basket.
Colors are beautiful in my home. It is a very sturdy basket and wonderfully made.
This is the most amazing basket ever. I love the color and pattern. Holds a lot too.
Omg. This basket is not only beautiful, but well made and versatile. My daughter ended up loving mine and taking it to her house. We will be ordering many more.
I love it and its uses are endless
