“wokim” Basket

by

I just found these pictures on my desk top.  I have been meaning to show you this for a while.  I was able to go back to the place we went before to learn about making baskets but this time I brought the boys and took more detailed pictures of the process.  You will be amazed!

The men who showed us the art and craft of making baskets. This is man's work, women do not make baskets. That is why I brought my boys!

 

I am keeping this post mostly pictures enjoy the show!

 

This is the plant that they get the materials from to make the baskets. They tell us that they have to go into the mountains to get it. I thought we were in the mountains!!! Nope, you have to go UP in the mountains.

 

The plant dries just enough to bend and begin to work with.

 

They begin to strip the plant apart.

 

They put a lot of prep time into this before they even start working the baskets.

 

Here is the finished product. I mean of prepping the strands!

 

To get different colors they take the strands of this plant and put it in water. This water has a bark the turns the strands different colors the longer it soaks. Ingenious!

 

Then they are finally are ready to begin the tedius work. This is a tool they use to make room for the strand to poke in-between the other strands.

 

One at a time they thread the strand threw making there way to becoming an amazing piece of art.

 

Circular shape or square these baskets are hand made with a lot of work.

 

Here is Brayden taking a try at it! He was having fun.

 

Well that is how these amazing pieces of artistry are created.  Not all men know how to make these baskets.  Another interesting fact is that the nationals don’t use them.  I still have some things to learn, but for the most part this is something that they use to sell.  They can make good money on one basket.  But I have yet to walk into one of the villages and see them using a basket.  They could be out there, I just haven’t seen it.  Always learning!!!

 

There you have it. This picture only shows you a few creations, they can do just about anything with this plant that grows in the mountain!

 

 

 

Leave a Reply