African baskets are an important part of many tribal communities' cultures and economies. There is a wide variety of basket types across Africa due to the large geographical region. Some of the most popular basket types include Zulu baskets from South Africa woven from grass and palm leaves and used decoratively, Wolof baskets from Senegal which are coil baskets in soft colors, and beaded wire baskets from Kenya made by stringing glass beads on wire.

2. For long African baskets is one of the many specialties of the
tribal
communities and also the source of income for a lot of them.
However,
African baskets are considered as one of the most popular
African art items and have a special art value all over the
world.
Types of Baskets
Because of the huge geographical region that encompasses the
African region there are a variety of
baskets that you can buy.

3. 1) Wolof Baskets – Senegal-
Wolof Baskets are woven by the Wolof people native to
Senegal. These are coil baskets with rigid walls and soft colors.
They are mostly used as a home décor item can come in
various shapes and sizes too.

4. 2) Zulu Ilala Palm Baskets-South Africa
One of the most famous basket types in the world, Zulu
baskets are weaved by the popular Zulu tribe in South Africa.
The pot shaped
baskets are hand-woven using grass and ilala palm leaves.
Mostly Zulu Ilala Palm Baskets are used as decorative items due
to its
attractive finishing and color
combination which done through usage of natural material
which is found
locally in Africa.

5. 3) Zulu Telephone Wire Baskets- South Africa
Very popular and coming in gorgeous colours, these are collectors
items but also accessible for daily home use. They are made with
telephone wire, originally discareded pieces but now are bought in
special factories. Creating employment for the makers of the wire
and the artisans that produce the baskets.

6. 4) Bwindi Baskets-Uganda
Bwindi Baskets are weaved using local grasses and Papyrus.
These are open bowl shaped baskets and can be used to hold
fruits and other stuff on dining tables.

7. 5) Bukedo & Raffia Baskets- Uganda
These type of African baskets are made using dyed raffia which
is weaved around banana leaf stems. These
baskets are dyed in bright colors and made of different
patterns as well. The Bukedo and Raffia baskets are mostly
used as decorative items in houses.

8. 6) Bolga Baskets- Ghana
The Bolga baskets are made by the Gurune community. This
basket is made from the veta vera straw which is found locally.
It’s a round shaped basket with sturdy handles and can
actually be used as means of storage. Some baskets even come
with leather handles and certain basket patterns can take up to
3 days for weaving.

9. 7) Lutindzi grass baskets- Swaziland
Lutindzi grass basket as the name suggests is made from
Lutindzi grass found on the mountains of
Swaziland. These baskets are woven in an intricate patterns
which makes them very beautiful to look at. These baskets are
woven by the local women and the patterns using
traditional weaving techniques.

10. 8) Beaded wire baskets- Kenya
Beaded wire baskets are put together by stringing tiny colored
glass beads on wires in a pattern. The beauty of it is that the
beaded wire baskets are made using only a pair of pliers to cut
the wire and give it the desired shape. In Kenyan tradition the
beaded wire baskets are mostly given as gifts. These African
baskets can be used to store jewelry or ornaments of daily use.

11. 9) Zambia Tonga Baskets-Zambia
Tonga baskets are weaved using creepers, palm leaves and tiny
vines. These are simple style baskets mostly used for grain
winnowing. The baskets are colored using natural vegetables
dyes.

12. 10) Nubian Baskets- Sudan
Nubian baskets are made from papyrus stalks on the inside and
palm leaves on the outside. It is a complicated
weaving process which produces a top quality basket with
wonderful patterns and colour dyes.

13. 11) Makenge Bush Root
Baskets-Zambia
Makenge are large bushes that are found throughout the
region. The roots of this bush are cut and peeled and the
interior is used to make the baskets. The beautiful baskets are
woven in intricate patterns and given the shapes of vases and
other forms.

14. 12) Sisal Coil Woven Baskets- Swaziland
The sisal baskets are made from sisal plant that grows in
abundance
throughout Swaziland. The sisal fibers are sturdy substances
and hence the
baskets are sturdy too. These are the most laborious of the
African baskets as it takes around 30 hours to create an 8 inch
of basket. Only the very skilled weavers are able to weave a
perfect sisal basket.

15. The weaving is complex and the
patterns delightfully bright. These
baskets make for good decorative items and can even be
displayed on the walls. The people of Swaziland give the
baskets as gift which
signifies long and happy life.

16. I hope you enjoyed this trip around Africa! Click the button
below to download a free PDF style guide to help you use
baskets in your home!
FREE GUIDE! 9 Gorgeous Ways To Decorate With Baskets For
Any Decor Style!
Stay Blessed,
Nonhle
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