Recycled coated telephone wires are used to make these beautiful handcrafted pieces. Zulu weavers have taken a traditional old school form of grass weaving and turned it into brightly-colored, urban, mesmerising art.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 5 inches across X 1.75 inches deep
For centuries South Africa's Zulu people have been famous for the sturdy and beautiful baskets they weave from grasses and palm leaf. Zulus living in urbans area have invented a new kind of basket, the ¿imbenge¿ basket woven entirely of recycled telephone wire. The origins of telephone wire weaving is traced to Zulu night watchmen in urban areas who, to banish loneliness and boredom on night shifts, took to weaving coloured wire around their traditional sticks. Soon this technique was adapted to making izimbenge (beer pot covers), the wire plates we have today. This craft now encompasses enormous creativity in diverse forms. The baskets are as bright and colorful as the telephone wire, and very sturdy. They are also completely washable!
The telephone wire for the baskets is donated by the large telecommunications companies, who in turn receive a small subsidy (due to the rise in the price of copper) from the South African government. You will also notice that each telephone wire basket smells distinctly of smoke, this is due to the reliance on fire in rural Africa. This smell adds authenticity and character to every piece.
Bundu supports a group of women weavers in Kwazulu, many of whom are HIV positive. The sale of their wire baskets helps them earn a sustainable income.
