Handmade Eco Friendly Baskets
Baskets of Africa

Cael Chappel, a very tall and smiling man, sat with Pure Zing and regaled us with stories of his many visits to Africa. Roadblocks, shots fired, threats of jail, baskets slashed and destroyed by inspectors, unusual food, people and baskets on the side of the road appearing in the middle of nowhere… and a business that supports over a thousand creative people in towns and remote villages all over Africa.

How did Cael’s business grow from just over a dozen weavers to over a thousand? Cael (pronounced Kale) pays better than a fair trade wage. He pays a ‘success’ wage. This means that rather than Cael setting the price of the value of the baskets, the weavers set the price. For the first time, weavers and artisans do not have to settle for anyone else’s idea of value for their creations!

Zulu, Swazi, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The names are almost as colorful and beautiful as the baskets! These baskets are like sunshine and sky, flowers, plains and water: the colors, patterns and textures of Africa. They are intricate, detailed, unique, handmade and express the creative side of many parts of this large and exotic continent. We can’t begin to tell you how impressed we are with this collection, the owner and his concept.

Baskets of Africa represents weavers from about a dozen African nations. In Zululand in South Africa, over 800 men weave with colored and copper telephone wire. These baskets are not only unique because of the tiny weave and colorful wire, but because the basket is woven from the top down, instead of the usual bottom up method. Because of the success wage, these men can stay in their villages with their families, rather than moving to cities or to the mines to look for work.

In Uganda - Bwindi and Rwenzori baskets are made by women, widows and disabled weavers. Banana leaf, papyrus, local grasses and millet are woven into deep, open bowls of brown, black and tan and colors are natural dyes from lichen, leaves, flowers and roots that the weavers grow. Cael’s success wage allows these women to completely support themselves in their villages.

The weavers of Swaziland in Southern Africa produce vibrantly colored Sisal and Lutindzi grass baskets. Sisal is from the strong Agave plant and the weavers, harvest this local weed, dry it, hand dye it, dry it again, and then roll the fibers against their legs until the perfect weaving strand is drawn out. Each basket takes an average of 30 hours to make and is one of the most labor intensive weaving methods in Africa. Normally 70% of the population of Swaziland lives on about one dollar a day. Due to Cael’s success wage, over 700 women weavers make a better than average living.

While many weavers used to use the same colors and designs over and over, Cael suggests colors and styles that might appeal to buyers outside of Africa. Each weaver is free to experiment in their own way, preserving their unique ethnic creativity and African style. Beware! Many copies are made of the most beautiful and unique African baskets (made in Pakistan!), but because Cael’s weavers benefit from creative encouragement and a success wage, Cael is always given first choice before any other buyers: ensuring you authentic and high quality African baskets.

Cael gets the best of the best baskets in Africa. The weavers and artisans get the best pay. You get authentic, creative, beautiful, lasting and usable baskets that you will love and pass down to others. Whether you choose the telephone wire baskets with incredibly small weave and brilliant colors and designs, a sturdy Ghana market basket or a more neutral but intricate Zulu palm basket, you will see that each one is finely made. Men as well as women weave and no matter the style, region or color, you will smile at the incredible colors and designs.

Just like sunshine and sky, flowers, plains and water, there is a freedom of expression in these amaZing baskets that only come from happy, well-paid weavers….supported by your patronage and the discerning, encouraging manner and fair business practices of Cael Chappel.

Visit Baskets of Africa. You will be sure to find your own very special basket to hold flowers, food, towels or treasures…or to just handle, admire and appreciate. That’s Pure Zing!