Handmade Bowl from Rwanda #1

This hand-woven bowl comes from Rwanda and measures approximately 12 inches in diameter and about 3 inches high. It is made of naturally dyed sisal that is coil-sewn over bundled sweetgrass. The bowl was woven by hand in Rwanda and therefore includes unique characteristics. You are also supporting self-sufficiency of local Rwanda artisans when you win this auction.

The beautiful Rwandan handcrafted bowls have been a part of the Rwanda culture for centuries. Woven from natural fibers and grasses, Rwanda’s women learned to weave these beautiful baskets at the hand of their mothers and grandmothers, carrying on a tradition that had been passed down from generation to generation. Much like the quilting tradition of America’s pioneer days, Rwanda’s baskets symbolized a coming together of Rwanda’s women to provide for the needs of their families while also instilling a love and respect in their children for their country and their culture.

Weaving these beautiful one-of-a-kind baskets is an intricate and time-consuming process that requires much attention to detail on the part of each weaver. These baskets are made from natural raw materials that all can be found growing in Rwanda – sisal fibers, sweet grass, banana leaves and raffia. Dyed with either natural plant pigments or tea leaves as well as with commercial dyes, these baskets represent designs that have been woven in many cases for centuries.