Basketry

Designs

Traditional Uses

The most famous of all the craft products of Botswana is the basket. As an intergral part of the Botswana agricultural culture, baskets have been made and used traditionally for thousands of years.

Although baskets are still very much a common sight in rural Botswana, more and more are being produced today for the commercial market.

Traditional Uses

Closed baskets with lids are used for storing grain, seeds, and sometimes sorghum beer.

Large, open bowl shaped baskets are used by the women for carrying items on their heads and for winnowing grain after it has been threshed.

Smaller, plate shaped baskets are used for winnowing grain after it has been pounded.

Materials

Traditional Uses

Materials

The main raw material utilized to produce Botswana baskets is the fibre of the "vegetable ivory" palm tree (Hyphaene petersiana ), called Mokola in Botswana.

To create intricate designs, the natural cream-coloured palm fibre is dyed shades of brown with the roots or bark of the Motlhakola (Euclea divinorun ) and Motsentsila (Berchemia discolor ) trees.

Running Ostrich

Forehead of the Giraffe

Running Ostrich

Made by Napemba Mashopa

BWP 1089.00

$108.90

265 grams

26.5cm diameter

e5447

Floral Geometry

Forehead of the Giraffe

Running Ostrich

African/Botswana Basket - Floral Geometry - Kushamona Keemetse - Available from Botswanacraft

Made by Kushamona Keemetse

BWP 1089.00

$108.90

180 grams

25cm diameter

e5600

Forehead of the Giraffe

Roof of the Rondavel (traditional hut)

Made by Mashinga Thomas

BWP 675.00

$67.50

410 grams

31cm diameter

e5643

Roof of the Rondavel (traditional hut)

African/Botswana Basket - Rondavel Roof design - Edare Sembanda - Available from Botswanacraft

Made by Edare Sembanda

BWP 675.00

$67.50

325 grams

30cm diameter

e5525

Urine Trail of the Bull

Roof of the Rondavel (traditional hut)

Urine Trail of the Bull

Made by Ngombe Samoronga

BWP 740.00

$74

290 grams

22cm height

e3456

Abstract Geometry

Roof of the Rondavel (traditional hut)

Urine Trail of the Bull

African/Botswana Basket - Abstract Geometry - Mahurero Dishero - Available from Botswanacraft

Made by Mahurero Dishero

BWP 4657.00

$465.70

2.14kg

44cm height

e5500

Forehead of the Giraffe

Made by Kapanyi Mponda

BWP 2050.00

$ 205

26cm diameter

e5180

Flight of the Swallow

Forehead of the Giraffe

Made by Diidhi Disho

BWP 3100.00

$ 310

32cm diameter

e5163

Abstract Geometry

Forehead of the Giraffe

Forehead of the Kudu

Made by Khumo Setabosha

BWP 4150.00

$415

34cm diameter

e5166

Forehead of the Kudu

Made by Mayowa Fly

BWP 4500.00

$450

39cm diameter

e4923

Flower

Forehead of the Kudu

Palm Leaf

Made by Mahurero Dishero

BWP 1100.00

$110

23cm diameter

e5027

Palm Leaf

Forehead of the Kudu

Palm Leaf

Made by Kathiko Muyevo

BWP 3100.00

$310

34cm diameter

e4827

Flower

Knees of the Tortoise

Roof of the Rondavel

Made by Dishaka Morao

BWP 4500.00

$ 450

38cm diameter

e5048

Roof of the Rondavel

Knees of the Tortoise

Roof of the Rondavel

Made by Karenao Phethatho

BWP 2800.00

$ 280

39cm diameter

e5369

Knees of the Tortoise

Made by Mokhwahepo Muronga

BWP 3800.00

$ 380

37cm diameter

e5376

Floral Symmetry

Flight of the Swallow

Knees of the Tortoise

Made by Semporene Muronga

BWP 5250.00

$525

46cm diameter

e4901

Ribs of the Giraffe

Flight of the Swallow

Made by Dishaka Morao

BWP 3100.00

$310

33cm

e5162

Flight of the Swallow

Made by Kanyana Twapika

BWP 2300.00

$ 230

31cm diameter

e4880

Back of the Python

Forehead of the Kudu

Back of the Python

Made by Napemba Mashupa

BWP 4150.00

$ 415

38cm diameter

e5021

Running Ostrich

Forehead of the Kudu

Back of the Python

Made by Keitumetse Morite

BWP 2300.00

$ 230

28cm diameter

e4879

Forehead of the Kudu

Made by Kurushe Diyeve

BWP 2050.00

$205

28cm diameter

e5365

Animal Print

Forehead of the Giraffee

Forehead of the Kudu

African/Botswana Basket - Animal Print - Kare Maramo - Available from Botswanacraft

Made by Kare Maramo

BWP 7000.00

$700

55cm height

e5053

Flower

Forehead of the Giraffee

Made by Kushamona Keemetse

BWP 3450.00

$345

35.5cm diameter

e4917

Forehead of the Giraffee

African/Botswana Basket - Forehead of the Giraffe - Tupwemo Mafuta - Available from Botswanacraft

Made by Tupwemo Mafuta

BWP 3900.00

$390

29cm diameter

e4411

Our online catalog is currently very small but growing.

Botswana baskets are each individual, and no one basket design can be ordered in quantities. We can try and find a similar basket if two are required, however no two will be identical.

To purchase any item, please send us an e-mail quoting the item reference number. Prices exclude shipping. Delivery takes one to two weeks.

To process payment we need visa / mastercard details, the 3 digit cvc number on the reverse of the card, and a telephone number for the courier company to reach you. This information can either be emailed to us, or faxed to (+267) 3922689.

You can e-mail Botswanacraft below or -sales@botswanacraft.com

View all products

Contact Us

Better yet, see us in person!

We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.

Botswanacraft Marketing

Plot 20716, Magochanyama Road, off Western Bypass, Block 3 Gaborone

tel (+267) 392 2487 fax (+267) 3922689

Hours

Mon	08:00 – 17:00
Tue	08:00 – 17:00
Wed	08:00 – 17:00
Thu	08:00 – 17:00
Fri	08:00 – 17:00
Sat	08:00 – 17:00
Sun	Closed