Ghana - Bolga Baskets

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These genuine Bolga baskets are exclusively woven by the indigenous Gurune people (also known as Frafra) around the town of Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana.
Bolga is the crafts center of Northern Ghana. For many generations, weaving has been a traditional skill of the people there. The soil around Bolgatanga is not fertile enough for extensive agricultural activities. As a result, handicraft activities such as basket weaving, leather work, and pottery are undertaken mostly by women to supplement their incomes since they are primarily subsistence farmers.
The creation of these Bolga baskets is a complex process that captures the exquisite skill of the weavers.

First, veta vera straw, known locally as kinkahe, is collected from the tops of the grass stalks, then each piece is split in half vertically.
Once the straw is split, it is then twisted back together to give it strength.
At this point the straw is put in bunches and dyed in boiling water. For bright colors the straw is dyed yellow first, then the color.
After coloring, the weaver carefully selects appropriate straw for the base, sides and handle. The selection of the proper grass for various parts of the basket is critical to good weaving.
Weaving starts at the base and works up to the rim. The rims are generally finished flat, or wrapped with straw to form a rounded edge.
Once the rims are finished, the handle will be created, attached, and customized. Handles are made with a sturdy wrapping technique around a grass core.
Hundreds of remaining bits of straw that are sticking out of the basket are carefully trimmed off.
Leather handles are skillfully applied by local leather workers.
A medium basket takes about 3 days to complete. Some shapes and patterns are more difficult to weave and take longer.