BEHIND EVERY BASKET: The Baskets Kenya Weavers

When you pick up a basket, you pick up a piece of art, crafted through the hands of women ,each basket shaped by hand and rooted deeply in tradition. Visiting the weavers was an eye- opening experience, allowing us to have a glimpse of what it takes to make the basket

The Women Behind the Baskets

The weavers are not only artisans but mothers, grandmothers and entrepreneurs. Working in groups of between 30 to 40 women, they have turned the skill into a source of income and empowerment in a society that is less keen on empowering women. Basket making here isn’t a quiet, solitary task,it’s social, full of stories and shared moments.

Many of them revealed to us how this weaving has helped them pay their kids school fees, support their families and be independent by earning their own money. They work long hours weaving the baskets day by day to bring you timeless décor, storage solutions, planters. We recently had an opportunity to visit the women basket weavers of Kitui, a largely women -centered and led group, who have been empowered through the craft, showing exemplary craftmanship and talent.

The basket weaving tradition in Eastern Kenya isn’t new, originally used to store grain, carry their farm produce to the market it has been passed down to generations through apprenticeship. The women we sat down with shared that they all learnt to weave from their mothers and grandmothers and are also making an effort to pass down the craft to the younger generations.

One of the weavers shared her story about how it had allowed her to single-handedly raise her four kids, since 1988, all of whom went on to university. Today, she leads a group of women, teaching and guiding them to earn an income and keep this beautiful tradition alive.

The women also shared a concern that struck us deeply despite the fact that weaving has supported families for decades, the younger generations are not as willing to take it up. Many of the daughters who have pursued higher education see other paths ahead of them, and the craft sometimes feels like “work of the past.” It’s a reminder that every basket you see today carries not just beauty, but also the weight of a tradition that risks fading if it isn’t valued.

The Art of Weaving: The Weaving Process

The beautiful baskets begin as raw materials in the farm and a long but worth it process is employed to get the finished product as follows:

1. Getting and Preparing the Material – The natural fibre is gotten from sisal . They are harvested, stripped and dried.
2. Dyeing (Optional) – Plant or commercial dyes are used to produce colourful baskets. The fibre is boiled then sun-dried to help lock in the colour.
3. The Base and BuiId – The weaver forms an oval or round base the coils and plaits upwards, shaping up by tension and the finger movements to form the shape of the basket.
4. Patterning – Stripes, zigzags, colour block and symbolic patterns emerge as the strands are introduced at planned intervals.
5. Finishing- Edges are tightened, trimmed and sometimes reinforced with metal for durability. Handles or leather wraps may be added for certain products.

How long does it take to make one basket? This depends on the size of the basket. It may take a few hours or several days depending on the complexity of the basket- the larger pieces can take even weeks especially when ordered in custom colours and patterns.

 The Economic and Social Impact: Empowering and Strengthening Communities

At Baskets Kenya, we believe in empowering the weavers by partnering directly with the weavers. Our visit wasn’t just about business but getting a feel of what it takes to make the beautifully hand-crafted baskets.

Basket weaving is a lifeline for most of these weavers. It puts children through school, keeps households running, and strengthens the bonds between the weavers. Each purchase connects you to their story of resilience and makes real impact in their lives.

So, the next time you place a basket in your living room, use it as a planter, or gift it to a loved one, remember that behind every basket is a woman’s hands, her laughter, her strength, and her hope for the future. And now, her story is woven into yours.