Expert: Carol Antrim - 3/13/2001

Question
In Kenya, people used to go fruit and vegetable shopping with their own baskets. I would like to know what materials make these baskets (and maybe where I can find such baskets).
Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Kinyanjui,

I'm afraid my knowledge of African basketry is limited to what little I have read. I have seen coiled or twined African Baskets in shops here in the US but have only seen pictures in books of their plaited  baskets. I have never known or chatted via internet with any basketmakers in Africa so have no first hand knowledge of the materials used but what little I have been able to find to read has listed palms, sisal, and grasses as the predominant fibers. The basket most often referenced for shopping in Kenya is called a *kiondo*…it is often sold as a handbag today.  It's usually made of sisal.  Sisal is also one of Kenya's largest export products.  

I did find some websites that sell African Baskets from Kenya, I think you could contact any of them and get much useful information as well as order baskets from them. Many are located in Kenya or run by people in the US or the UK who go to Africa to purchase what they are selling.  

http://www.culturenetafrica.com/  
This site lists a shopping basket made by the Akamba tribe of Kenya

http://www.ntclimited.com/  
Naushad Trading Company, Mombasa, Kenya, say their baskets are made from raffia, which is a type of palm.  Looks to me like it is done on some kind of rod, most likely any wood the basketmaker had handy...and like here in the US, would vary from location to location.

http://www.africanbasket.com/african_baskets.htm  
There are some lovely African baskets shown on this site...and they are willing to work with you to find just what you desire.

http://www.sondai.com/index.html  
The Sunday Studios has baskets made of banana fiber.

http://www.designafrica.com/fibre.htm   
At this site there is information on how adaptations of traditional work are providing jobs for Africans, and an email link for more information.

http://www.sisalbags.com/  
Woven Sisal Handbags from Kenya…

http://www.migakacrafts.com/index.html  
Beautiful assorted baskets of assorted materials.

Hope this helps, Good Luck with your quest.

Carol Antrim