These basket bowls are produced in the Iringa region of Tanzania by the Hehe people, who are famous for their plaited basketry, as opposed to coiled basketry.  This technique includes forming the top edge and then working down, row by row. The raw material for these baskets is mlulu grass, a reed-like grass.

The craft of basket making is known throughout Tanzania. Wawata, a group that specializes in weaving baskets unique to the Iringa region of southern Tanzania, was developed by the Catholic Church.  Artisans make baskets from a reed called mlulu that grows only in the Iringa region.  Basket making occurs in the dry season after the harvest and is usually done by women.  They weave the reeds into strong, flexible baskets used primarily for food storage and transporting agricultural products.  The baskets are dyed by one of two methods.  The first method is a traditional dying method that uses roots to dye the basket a warm orange color. The second method uses commercial dyes to achieve a range of brighter colors. Fair Trade

Product care: Repair unraveling fiber by rewinding or weaving and hold in place with a dab of glue.