Have you seen one of these African Tonga baskets up close? They’re really gorgeous, well-crafted, and eco-friendly! Most people took a liking to these baskets because of those three features. To be honest, that’s more than enough for it to be considered as a worthy buy. But if you prefer to dig deep, you’ll see that they go beyond the borders of aesthetics. They’re not only filled with a rich history; they also embody an ethnic group’s desire to achieve a sustainable livelihood and the fight to preserve a local heritage as well. But out of all that, the most interesting feature of Tonga baskets is this: they’re empowered by spirits. More on this later. First, let’s take a look...
Notice we said “tips” instead of “guide”? Well, there’s a reason for that. It’s because there are really no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to decorating your home with African Tonga baskets. These baskets are so versatile that the possibility of using them as décor is pretty much endless! So whether you’ve recently bought—or is seriously thinking of buying one soon—a Tonga basket because you have a growing appreciation of African mores or simply because you’re just one of those cultured individuals with good taste, allow us to give you a couple of jumping-off points on how to use them. Below are some ways that you can make your walls eclectically fabulous through the addition of Tonga baskets or African...
African Tonga baskets served a variety of roles even before they became a wall décor. These humble yet gorgeous baskets were originally used as a temporary container for grains, for winnowing maize, for carrying grains from the fields, and as gifts for chiefs and other noble leaders of a tribe. That versatility extends to the home as well. Here are some ways you can use Tonga baskets in your home: from a coffee table centerpiece to a kitchen storage unit! As a coffee or dining table centerpiece: There are so many ways in which you can decorate a Tonga basket as a table centerpiece. You can do so based on your preference or the time of the year. You...
When it comes to authenticity, we’re talking about African Tonga baskets that are painstakingly handmade by the Tonga women in Zambia. The kind that’s not mass produced in a factory somewhere for export. Each one is weaved using age-old traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. Discerning buyers put value on that. They prefer authentic Tonga baskets to show their appreciation for the workmanship that these local artists do. Add to that fact is the cultural integrity of owning an authentic piece in one’s home. So if you have you been fiddling with the idea of buying an authentic Tonga basket lately, but don’t exactly know what factors to look for, these will help. Check the craftsmanship...
