Looking for stylish storage ideas? With their intricate traditional designs, these handwoven baskets are both remarkably durable & stylish. The mix of materials, unusual pattern, & earthy palette add a stunning statement to any room. These grass-woven baskets have been handmade by a group of women in a rural community bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda. Please note that this listing is for one lidded storage basket. As all baskets are handmade, please expect some differences in sizing & patterns. Size 26cm high (including lid) 14cm diameter at base Natural & sustainable dyes All of the colours that you see in these baskets are made naturally using traditional knowledge of herbs. Two different grasses are used, one to give structure & one for the detail. The result is these amazing & practical baskets & pots that would add style equally to a dressing table, bookshelf or side table. Beautiful things should belong to beautiful souls. Muriel Barbery These ethnic African baskets certainly are beautiful, ethical & perfect for those who appreciate art. So, make sure to buy one (or more!) if you would like something special in your home or a charming gift for your loved ones. Fair trade benefits to artisans Most of the baskets that we have are woven by a lady called Topista. She is 74 years young & a mother & a grandmother. Each basket typically takes her 4 days to complete between other household tasks (the average Ugandan women spends 9 hours a day on household tasks). Last year the extra income she generated helped cover the family medical bills & even employ extra help so that she could focus more of her time on weaving! About Bwindi Handmade Crafts The founders of Bwindi Handicrafts spent 2 years working for a small NGO in Uganda. While working on sustainability projects they made a deep connection with the country, the life & the people that lived there. & it is these connections that they are continuing to develop & promote through opening up opportunities for their partners to sell their crafts. Their inspiration comes from the strength & determination of the women that they work with. How your purchase can make a difference Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world. in 2012, 37.8 percent of the population lived on less than $1.25 a day. Despite making enormous progress in recent years, poverty remains deep-rooted in the country’s rural areas, which are home to 84 percent of Ugandans. Bwindi Handmade Crafts is committed to promoting & empowering the groups that they work with so that they have a secure & sustainable source of income. By buying one of these baskets you are playing an important part in ensuring that this happens. How these baskets are made These craft items have been made by a small group of Batwa women who live on the borders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South West Uganda. The Batwa people traditionally lived off the forest’s resources until it was made a conservation area in the
