Monday, June 25, 2007
Basket Case
Rwandan Women Weave for Peace and Prosperity
Rwandan genocide widows are helping rebuild their lives and their country’s economy through their ancient tradition of basket weaving. Sold through Macy’s, the baskets provide income to rural women who had never before earned money. Each basket is woven using ancient techniques and traditional materials.
Each Kivu basket takes a month to make. First, men gather bamboo from the forest and weave sturdy inner frames to give the basket its distinct shape. Women then weave the outer basket using exquisitely fine stitches.
Crafted of sisal and sweetgrass that grow in the Rwandan plains, the Treasures basket, with its tight lid, has traditionally been used to safeguard cherished belongings.
The pagoda-shaped Night Peace basket—so unique to Rwanda that it is included on the national seal—has been woven for centuries. Crafted from naturally dyed papyrus and banana leaf, the zigzag design tells an ancient story of friends walking together, visiting neighboring villages along the way.
Order online only from macys.com.
Posted by editor at 08:00 AM under furniture & accessories • green
