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More Information About
Agaseke Baskets
The agaseke basket is used for carrying and storing food as well as for ceremonial purposes. According to Leona Chapman’s article titled “The History of Our Traditional African Baskets” by AARVEN, a company that supports global artisans, Rwanda baskets, although were a significant part of the Rwandan lifestyle, the 1994 civil war took that significance to a new level. Chapman states, “Women who had lost husbands, sons, and brothers came together to weave baskets as a way of rebuilding their communities and promoting peace.
Traditionally Called, "Agaseke"
The handcrafted Rwandan Basket bowls are called agaseke. They are well known for their wonderful, vibrant colors. They are typically given to commemorate significant life events such as weddings, births, and graduations as they result from hard work and take long hours to complete.
The Process
The process of weaving the Rwandan Basket bowls collecting and processing the sisal reads which is a plant that is abundant and native to Rwanda. The sisal is the fiber from the agave plant. From there the weavers dye and dry the fibers of the sisal plant and use them as yarn while the base of the plant is used as the base of the basket. Most basket weavers in Rwanda weave together in a community and is a social experience for them, but just like the Gunure people in Ghana, the basket weaving tradition has been passed down from generation to generation.
