Bolga baskets are exclusively hand woven by the people around the town of Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana. For many generations, weaving has been a skill of these people. Handicraft activities such as basket weaving, leather work, and pottery are undertaken mostly by women to supplement their incomes

Fair Trade Practices~

This weaving group has a mission: assisting the rural people of Northern Ghana to earn good incomes in order to care of their children. They believe when a woman can create an income, it puts food into the bowl of a child, and that it is also a means of promoting self-esteem for the women, children, and the entire village.

Creation Process

• Veta vera straw, known locally as kinkahe, is collected from the tops of the grass stalk, then each piece is split in half vertically.

 • Each half of the split straw is then twisted tightly by rolling it back together to give it strength.

• There are a variety of different handles, but all are made with a sturdy wrapping technique around a grass core.

• The straw is put in bunches and dyed in boiling water. For bright colors the straw is dyed yellow first, then the color.

 • The weaver carefully selects appropriate straw for the base, sides and handle. The selection of the proper grass for various parts of the basket is critical to good weaving.

 • Weaving starts at the base and works up to the rim. The rims are generally finished flat, or wrapped with straw to form a tube like edge.

• Remaining bits of straw that are sticking out of the basket are carefully trimmed off.

• Leather handles are skillfully applied by local leather workers.

• A medium basket takes about 3 days. Some shapes and patterns are more difficult to weave and take longer.