Like many things, basketry is an African survival our people carried across the Atlantic. The complex coiling technique often used in the Low Country of the U.S. has roots in the Senegambian region of West Africa. But it's at risk of unraveling.
While we often spot colorful baskets on the walls of many Black homes and spaces, their importance goes beyond the decor; our tradition is woven into them. In Southern Zambia, the Tonga people believe basket makers are divinely chosen and inspired by ancestors.
Historically, we used baskets on plantations during rice cultivation in the coastal South. In Gullah Geechee communities, basket-weaving families believe in a bloodline concept and will only agree to teach others outside of their family with the blessing of an elder.
Basket weaving is a cultural tradition that has become less popular. Still, it's an integral part of our collective history and deserves to be preserved, and it's our job to plant the seeds for the future. As cultural custodians, we must keep every part of the culture alive. Even if we don't become basket weavers ourselves, we can share its history and stories.
Our cultural arts deserve to survive; we're responsible for preserving them. What traditions can you return to learn or commit to teaching the next generation?