Being an all-female team, we are constantly inspired by the power of women and love taking the time on International Women's Day to lift one another up. This International Women's Day we are amplifying the creativity and talents of the women artisans we work with in Africa...
Ugandan Women Weavers
Uganda is home to some of the most talented and creative weavers we have ever had the pleasure of working with. On a trip in late 2019, Bee visited the town of Fort Portal where she met with Ruth who is now our main lady on the ground. Ruth took us around and with the help of a local taxi driver we ventured deep into the rural areas to meet some of the talented weavers and fill the taxi boot with their baskets. In Uganda, baskets are made at home in between household chores, subsistence farming and looking after children. The income from weaving enables the women to uplift their lives and goes towards paying for education and food. You can find our collection of Ugandan baskets here.
Tanzanian Women Weavers
Located in the Morogoro region of Tanzania you will find the vibrant blue workshop of our fantastic women weavers. Founded in 1983 to help impoverished female school leavers in rural areas of Tanzania where higher education for girls is typically not a high priority. The group is made up of 35 women weavers who produce everything by hand. In 1993 the project became a workers cooperative owned and governed by the women who are its members. The women benefit and share the profits they make amongst themselves. Each member benefits in proportion to her contribution to production and sales. They make our range of colourful, graphic throws and table cloths.
Kasigau Women Weavers
Each one of our colourful ‘Kiondo’ baskets are hand woven using traditional techniques by groups of women weavers based in the rural Kenyan plains. Women are the main breadwinners in this region and income from basket weaving helps support them during droughts when subsistence farming goes into decline. Weaving is also often a social occasion, bringing women together and offering a great opportunity to pass on their skills to younger women. You can find the full range of one-off Kenyan baskets here.
If you'd like to learn more about any of our artisans, click here. To read more about our all-female team, click here.