The process begins with weaver communities purchasing straw, harvested from elephant grass from the local straw markets. The weavers then split the straw by hand, twist the straw by hand, and dye the straw by hand, using coloured stones or vegan dye (only for coloured baskets). They then get to work on hand weaving different designs using traditional weave techniques, passed down through generations of weavers.
The basket-weaving tradition in Bolgatanga, Ghana, is over 200 years old and inspired by nature - spider webs and birds’ nest. The weavers made the baskets to carry everything from farm produce to war accoutrements. Today there are 19 weaver communities in Bolgatanga, each specialising in their own weave designs. Kinkahe works with nine of these communities to bring you a variety of baskets.
