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Collective Weaving: Discover our Artisan-Made Baskets from Senegal

When buying a handwoven basket, you want to know that, not only does it look alluring, but you can feel the heart and soul interlaced throughout. There’s certainly that emotive element, along with a strong degree of tradition, in our new Tilden baskets from Swahili Modern.

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Honored Techniques, Empowered Artisans
Swahili Modern works with Senegalese artisans – primarily Wolof women, an ethnic group indigenous to West Africa. They focus on a style of basket weaving practiced in Senegal for generations and have learned the techniques from their mothers and aunts. Traditionally, these women created the baskets by binding njodax, a thick local grass, with thin strips of palm frond. Now, they’re constructed using more contemporary material: recycled plastic. Easier to manipulate, plastic means less discomfort for the weavers as they bring their baskets to life.

Crafting handmade products is an empowering employment option for rural African women like the Wolof. As the backbones of their family, they cook, clean, garden, care for the extended family and pay school fees. Their artisan endeavors give them tangible earning power within the family. And not only that; they ignite a cooperative spirit among the community. The women work in association, proud of the consistency in their traditional craftsmanship and their ability to stabilize their communities.

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A Vision … Expanding
Swahili Modern works with artisans from not just Senegal, but all over Africa including Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and beyond. The company adheres to fair trade principles, offering its partners in Africa the means to build stronger homes and communities through their talents. We believe that not only are the artisan-made products beautiful, but we feel comfortable knowing that we are providing these artisan women an opportunity to showcase their goods beyond local markets.

Shop the Basket Collection
Made in limited productions and of course, by virtue of being hand-made, no two baskets are alike. We offer three sizes in a neutral shade that complements any living scheme.

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Tilden White Large Basket
Imagine it as the safekeeper of bath towels, throw blankets, board games and more.
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Tilden White Medium Basket
Ideal for magazines, shower necessities, knitting supplies, children’s toys and more.
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Tilden White Small Basket
The perfect place for bath towels, kitchen utensils, craft supplies and more.
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