Zulu Basketry Brings Women Economic Opportunities in KwaZulu-Natal

Nokukhanya Khumalo, a 27-year-old artisan from Hlabisa, South Africa, inherited masterful skills from her mother and aunt and began basket weaving at the age of six. Inspired by her family’s legacy, Nokukhanya dedicated herself to the craft after completing high school. She not only excels in traditional weaving techniques but has also mastered the use of plants and grass to create colors and draws the patterns on her baskets.

Through her art, Nokukhanya showcases Zulu culture to the world and also contributes to economic opportunities in her rural community. The thriving business has provided women with the means to support their families, combating poverty and fostering a healthier living environment.

Nokukhanya’s process is a glowing example of the skillful manipulation of natural materials into striking vessels. The baskets are constructed of ilala palm grass as the base, then infused with pigment by cooking the basket in tin over a fire. The addition of umthombothi, a tree yielding black pigment, enhances the palette. After the tedious cooking and drying process, Nokukhanya wields a needle, intricately weaving patterns into the baskets, each telling a story with its array of colors.