BOLGA BASKETS PRODUCT INFORMATION:

These baskets were made in the Bolgatanga district of Ghana, West Africa. Several styles are referred to as Bolga baskets because of their place of origin. These were woven by a member of a women's cooperative in that far northern region of Ghana. Baskets are double woven and made of Vera Veta grass, a sustainable indigenous grass found in the Northern Bolgatanga district of Ghana, West Africa, as well as some other places. Many similar baskets are made of sea grasses that do not have the same strength and durability. Our exporter strives to obtain quality workmanship rather than mere quantities.

BOLGA BASKET CONSTRUCTION

RAW MATERIALS USED

THE STRAW  The straw is the main raw material used. It is obtained from a tropical grass locally known as elephant grass, or veta vera grass, the technical name. The grass grows along the banks of rivers, streams and swampy areas. The straw is not simply cut from the grass. The grass grows, matures and tassles just like wheat. The straw then tassles with a broom-like flower at the top, maturing by growing longer and bigger. The straw is harvested by holding a stem with the left hand and the husk that encloses the straw with the right hand and pulling it down, leaving the husks on the grass for further tassles. The flower at the top of the straw is cut off near a nib using the forefinger and the thumb. This is done to every single piece of straw. The straw is harvested wet, then sun-dried, and becomes ready for the weaving process. Some baskets can be woven with the wet straw, but these do not have the quality that is associated with the baskets woven with the dried straw.

THE WEAVING PROCESS

SPLITTING

The straw is first split into two halves by biting every single piece in the middle at one end with the teeth to open it into two. The first half is held by the teeth and other half is pulled down with one hand. About half an inch to the end of the straw, the process is ended. This is to make the next step easier. This process is done to every single piece of straw that is to be used in the weaving process.

TWISTING  The split straw is wrapped together in a wet sack to keep it wet and prevent it from breaking during the twisting process. The split piece of straw is then twisted by rolling the two halves together. Traditionally, this is done on the weaver's thigh. However, today, a piece of bathroom sandal is tied against the thigh for the rolling process.

UNTWISTING  The two pieces of twisted straw are separated into two individual pieces. This process depends on the type of basket the weaver intends to weave. Untwisted straw is used for weaving double weave baskets and the twisted straw is used for single weave baskets. The round baskets are mostly done in double weave.

SELECTION OF STRAW

Different lengths and thickness are best used for different parts of the basket. The weaver carefully selects the appropriate straw for the different parts of the basket. The ability of the weaver to select the most appropriate straw goes a long way towards the outcome of a good basket. 

DYEING

Different methods are used in preparing the straw for dyeing. Some wrap small amounts of twisted or untwisted straw into rings whiles others tie together large bundles. A pot of water is brought to boil and the dye is added. The straw is then submersed into the solution and pressed down by the weight of big stones. The straw is boiled for between 15 to 20 minutes. For bright coloured baskets, the straw is first dyed yellow, allowed to dry and then dyed again with the preferred colour. However, baskets which do not need colour (natural colour baskets), the straw is not boiled.

STARTING THE BASKET

The actual weaving process starts with the base of the basket. Several pieces of twisted straw are used in the first line-up, brought together by another straw, which looks like an octopus or spider with several legs. The leg-like strings form the the vertical ribs of the basket. The weaving is done by passing the horizontally placed straw in and out, around the ribs. For double weave baskets, there are two horizontal straws which go through the same pattern. Double weave baskets are much stronger and consume more straw than single weave baskets.

THE RIM

Once the body of the basket is completed, the rim is added. First, the legs are tied into a knot at the top of the basket. Next, the remaining pieces of the ribs are laid flat around the rim. If the remaining pieces are too long, they are trimmed to size. A piece of straw is used to systematically tie the ribs down into a uniform ring around the mouth of the basket. The rims are usually in the natural colour of the straw. However, there are other forms of baskets where the rim is woven flat.

THE HANDLE

There are several styles of handles. For round baskets, the usual handle is two-legged at both ends across the mouth of the basket, and fusing into one in the middle, serving as the hand-grip. For oval shape baskets, the handles are two, placed on opposite lengths of the basket.

TRIMMING

Trimming involves the cutting off the remaining ends of the straw on the body of the basket (both in and outside of the basket). If this process is not carefully done, the basket will be rough when the fingers are run over the body. Double weave baskets are easier to trim than single weave ones, hence they are nicer, stronger, more flexible and smooth.

TIME INVOLVED

It takes approximately three days to complete a standard Bolga basket once the raw materials have been gathered, dyed, and dried.