Imbenge Baskets

Zulu tribes people have a long tradition of basket weaving. But with traditional materials -- hand-dyed grasses -- now endangered, the weavers have substituted recycled telephone wire.

During apartheid, Zulu men often worked as watchmen in the cities. As they walked around, they found abandoned telephone wire in the streets and used it to decorate their sticks (knobkerries--traditional war sticks). When returning home, the women admired their fine work and recycled the found wires to weave baskets which they call imbenge.

The Zulu people believe that imbenge lend pride, dignity and warmth to a home. Sets of imbenge and beer pots are traditionally given by a bride to her in-laws during her marriage ceremony.

Visit our catalog for imbenge basket ordering information.