Botswana Baskets - Botswana

There are 2 Botswana Baskets, belonging to a private collection of African tribal art.
The 2 pieces have different diameters of 28 cm and a depth of 4 cm.
Each Basket takes about four to six weeks to complete, working every day.
The total weight will be approximately 1 kg

Baskets

The most famous handmade product of Botswana is the basket. As an integral part of Botswana's agricultural culture, Botswana baskets have been made and used traditionally for thousands of years.

There are 2 general types of handmade baskets. Lidded baskets are used to store grains, seeds, and sometimes sorghum beer. Large, open, bowl-shaped baskets are used by women to carry objects on their heads and to thresh grains after harvesting. Smaller, plate-shaped baskets are used to thresh grains after pounding.

The main basket makers are the women of the Bayei and Hambukushu tribes, in northwest Botswana.

Although baskets are still very common in rural areas of Botswana, they are increasingly produced today for the commercial market.

The expansion and diversity of weaving techniques, designs, and color usage are encouraged through improvement courses, annual competitions, and exhibitions.

Today, Botswana baskets are equivalent to the finest forms of art found in the world.

Creating a Basket
The main raw material used to produce Botswana baskets is the fiber of the ivory palm tree (Vegetable Ivory) (Hyphaene petersiana), called Mokola in Botswana.

To create intricate designs, the natural cream-colored palm fiber is dyed in brown tones with the roots or bark of Motlhakola trees (Euclea divinorum) and Motsentsila (Berchemia discolor).

More recently, the leaves of the Indigofers sp. shrub are being used to produce a purple color, and the sorghum husks, with a fungus, will create a lovely pink tone.

Botswana baskets are woven using the spiral method. One can use a fine bundle of palm fiber, grass, or a single piece of vine for the interior of the spiral.

To make a basket, a small hole is punched in the previously woven row with a shuttle, then a strip of palm is inserted into the hole and wound around the core. Designs are created by interlacing dyed palm strips in the appropriate places.

Each basket takes about four to six weeks to complete, working every day.

Basket Designs
Originally, most handmade baskets in Botswana did not have designs, being all cream in color, the natural color of the palm fiber. Gradually, more designs were incorporated for identification and beautification; a result of improved and modern basket-weaving techniques. In the image, there are only four of the most famous designs. Many other traditional designs - below - are woven into Botswana baskets, ensuring collectors a wide selection. Additionally, unique, exclusive designs are being created by true artists, blending the art of basket weaving with the world of abstract art.