What is African basket weaving?
What is African basket weaving?
Basket making in Africa is an ancient skill that has survived to this day. African basketry is a dynamic craft, altered by social changes and shaped by both environmental and economic factors. Traditionally, shapes and weaves were determined largely by the uses for what the baskets were intended.
How are African baskets made?
The women weave the baskets with natural raw materials, such as sweet grass, sisal fibres, banana leaves or raffia. The fibres are woven into concentric circles, which form the base of the baskets. A large basket takes around a week to weave. There are many patterns, all with their own significance.
What are African baskets called?
Wide winnowing baskets, known as fanners, were the earliest and most important type of coiled basketry made by Africans in North America. Coiled baskets made in Senegal and Angola look similar to African American fanner baskets, whereas fanners made in other places, such as Sierra Leone, are woven rather than coiled.
What is the origin of basket weaving?
The weaving of baskets is as old as the history of man. Traces of baskets have been found in the Egyptian pyramids, and woven basket liners have left their impressions inside the fragments of ancient pottery. Baskets were needed as containers for everything imaginable- food, clothing, seeds, storage and transport.
What tools do you need for basket weaving?
Tools for Basket Weaving
- Sharp basket scissors.
- Sharp angle or side cutters.
- a good packing tool (flat tip, bent or straight)
- awl.
- spoke weight.
- needle nose pliers.
- knife, shaver or scorp.
- measuring tape.
What came first basket weaving or pottery?
Basketry is an ancient craft (8,000-6,000 BCE) – pre-dating pottery or stone carving. Few actual examples exist because baskets are made of biodegradable materials.
Are all baskets handmade?
While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or metal wire can be used. Baskets are generally woven by hand. Some baskets are fitted with a lid, while others are left open on top.
What is basket weaving used for in Africa?
In the central and southern parts of Africa, the coiling technique is commonly used. In some instances, basket weaving can be substituted for pottery. For example in Ethiopia, they use a very tight weave to make watertight containers that are used to collect, store and keep milk fresh.
Is basket weaving an art form?
In the hands of certain craftsmen, basket weaving can be a form of art. They use fibers of different natural or dyed colors to achieve various decorative designs such as animals figures or geometric patterns. The Tutsi people of Rwanda were very creative in producing beautiful baskets and containers using this technique.
What are African baskets made of?
African baskets are usually made of different materials like grass, vines, leaves, raffia, papyrus etc.
What is the significance of basketry in South Africa?
In South Africa men are involved with weaving the wire baskets, a tradition that started with night watchmen being bored on duty and it has now developed into a sought after art form. Basketry is a form of employment for many African women and elevates their status and power base within their social environments.
