These Makenge baskets will breathe new life and personality into any space. They're ideal for adding interest to walls, desks, and other rooms in your house. These baskets have a unique one-of-a-kind craftsmanship that makes them highly sought after. People think of them as collectors' items because of their age and historic features, such as the complicated raised grass patterns; many are valuable due to their history and traditional qualities.
The Mbunda women who reside in the Upper Zambezi River region of Zambia create handcrafted makenge baskets. The Makenge bush's roots are boiled until soft and flexible, after which they are utilized to weave these extremely one-of-a-kind baskets; a process that has been passed down through generations.
The smallest roots are gathered to ensure the bush remains alive and healthy, enabling it to create more roots for future baskets. Natural dyes are produced by boiling leaves, and each woman decorates her creations according to her own personal preferences and family customs.
Makenge root baskets, manufactured in rural Zambia, were great wedding presents that were frequently handed down from generation to generation. The baskets have a beautiful texture owing to the fact that they have been used for many years and each is distinct from age and time.
The Mbunda tribe repairs broken baskets with maize husks as a result of wear and tear, but the maize husk gives the basket a lovely feel. The tribe’s first choice was to restore the baskets anytime they faced some form of damage. Overtime, the repair and patches add such a unique look to the baskets, making them even more valuable.
Only the most experienced women in the village may make these baskets. It takes about two months to complete a basket, and only the most seasoned craftswomen in the community are able to do it. These one-of-a-kind wedding baskets, which are given to a new bride by her mother or family members, are handed down from generation to generation without interruption.
No one basket is alike. Each will have a unique pattern, stitching and style making it very hard to replicate. Each weaver has their own unique way in presenting their patterns. Some are abstract and random others are very geometric and organized.