Kwazulu Natal black & white basket

These gorgeous black & white baskets are made by a group of 7 women weavers in Kwazulu Natal. The technique and weaving stitch is traditional Zulu, the design is contemporary and fits perfectly in a modern interior.

The coil is known as ncema or juncus kraussi and is harvested by special permission of the Isimangiliso Wetlands Authority in KZN. The outer material is palm fiber (Hyphaene coriacea) which grows in the coastal areas of Africa. The white palm is its natural colour and the black is attained by soaking the palm fiber with rusty tins for 2 weeks and then being boiled with the leaves of the weeping boer-bean tree.

Beautiful baskets with an interesting story.