The Niger Bend

This basket is woven by hand by women in the wet and swampy regions of Benin, of swamp grass, a renewable, plentiful and eco-friendly material. A small sized basket, it is fairly cylindrical although it tapers toward the top; this makes it is especially useful in Africa for storing or carrying things. This basket’s weaving is relatively fine and tight, uniform in weave and the natural color of the straw throughout, highlighted with several vertical green stripes. This finely woven design demonstrates the skill of the ladies who make this traditional craft. This basket is as versatile and useful as a woven plastic sack but beautiful and decorative and, of course, all natural. 15″ tall x 10″ diam. at the top (38 x 25 cm)