Uduseke Storage baskets (Agaseke is the singular) are the quintessential Rwandan craft.
After the genocide weaving groups from both ethnic groups worked to-gether and the baskets became known as “Peace baskets”.
Made by sewing sisal fibre around a papyrus frame they were traditionally used to store jewellery and food. They were also given to the groom from the bride’s family - the lid signifying the women was pure.
Today they are recognized across the world as one of Rwanda’s finest craft
products. It can be use for storage or decoration.
Useful for storing just about anything and absolutely stunning addition to any house.
Dimensions:
Small - Uduseke stacking baskets - set of 5 stacking baskets inside ranging from tiny to 22cm tall)
Small - 30 cm tall (to the top of the 'hat')
Medium - 40cm tall
Large - 50cm tall
Extra Large - 60cm tall
The group is made up of 12 Ladies. They are widows and orphans who lost their families during the Genocide in 1994.
After the genocide they arrived in Kigali where life continued to be a challenge for them. They were all traumatized, with very little hope. But they had to eat, they had to find somewhere to live, and some had children that they had to look after.
The first two met and shared stories and came up with ideas of what they could do to generate income. They realized that they could use their skills and make crafts to sell. That was in 1996. They have since met many other people who have faced the same hardhsips and included them in the group and trained them in what they were doing.
They started selling their products locally in Rwanda until they met people from Comfort International who could share their products outside of Rwanda.
All of them have skills to make everything that that they make, but everyone has special skills to make something different from that of her colleagues. So whenever they work, everyone knows what she is in charge of.
Often they work together in the houses of one of the members but everyone can also work at home at any time and thus manage their household as well.
Their lives have totally changed, some have been able to buy homes and to pay the school fees for their children.
They are now one of the most successful projects of widows and orphans in Kigali.