ABOUT THE WEAVERS

The basket weavers sit together at the side of their market shop in a impressive display of brightly coloured cloth and sisal threads. Chatting, laughing, sharing each others problems and weaving with their strong hands. It is a talent learnt from their mothers and grandmothers, handed down through generations.

Harsh climates challenge the livelihood of many women in rural communities in Kenya, whose main source of income is reliant on agriculture. The rainfall is often very unpredictable and many of the crops die leaving them with little or no income.
The foundation of every basket is the sisal plant. A strong giving plant, drought resistant and environmentally friendly. The fresh sisal outer leaves are decorticated, dyed, dried, dyed again and then weaved. This enables the women to retain a regular income, send their children to school and provide food and fresh water.  This not only increases their self esteem and lifts them out of poverty, it enables them to keep their semi-nomadic lifestyle.

So your basket has traveled along way to find you! An incredible journey from a spiky plant to a beautiful object which graces homes, adding instant texture, colour and interest to any room.