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Baskets of various shapes and sizes will be showcased

Arts Editor
Female basket makers from Binga will showcase their wares at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe at an exhibition that opens on September 24. The baskets exhibition has become an annual event that seeks to expose the skills from the remote parts of the country to the international market.

Kunzwana Women’s Association based in Harare facilitates the upcoming exhibition that mainly features women from Twebele Club in Binga.

“The objective of this project is to support women revive basket- making in order to increase their monthly income. Basket-making has been in existence within the Tonga tribe for more than half a century and is part of their tradition,” said Kunzwana Women’s Association representative.

The basket-making skill has been passed from generation to generation among the Tonga women.

The women use ilala (palm) grass which naturally grows in Binga.

Despite their lack of education, the women in Binga are able to produce baskets with complicated designs which are geometrically proportional. This makes their art intriguing, sophisticated and lucrative to high end markets.

“The Twebele club members are currently facing serious challenges of accessing markets as there has been a decline in the number of tourists in Binga hence they realise very little returns from their baskets.

Kunzwana is assisting the women so that they are able to produce baskets that penetrate international markets.”

Last year a similar exhibition titled “Basket Case III” took place successfully at the gallery and various art lovers appreciated the creativity and talent among the basket weavers.

Baskets of various makes and sizes were on display while other designs made from basket material were popular with viewers.

The upcoming exhibition is supported by UNDP and Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust.