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 In Rwanda, fine basket weaving is a centuries-old artistic tradition that has been passed from mother to daughter for generations. By continuously honing their artistry and handiwork, some women become true masters of the art form. Today, these master weavers oversee their communities' production of the Path to Peace Baskets, sharing their knowledge and talent with other women in their village and ensuring this unique heritage will live on. shop the baskets  |
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"The Peace basket is my gift to the world." Pascasie Mukamurigo A master weaver and respected elder in Rwanda, Pascasie is perhaps the greatest weaver of Peace Baskets in the country, and she credits them with saving her life. She had traveled to sell her baskets in the capital city of Kigali when the violence began. When she returned after 3 months of hiding in a church, she found much of her family had been killed. Intent on healing herself and her community, she gathered the weavers in her village and formed a weaving group. Pascasie included weavers from both sides of the conflict -consciously weaving forgiveness and inclusiveness into her work. Today, Pascasie's group produces the finely made 'Day" and "Night" Peace baskets. |  |
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"...the money I get from baskets is used very efficiently-part of it used for the family and part of it put aside for savings so we can plan for the future." Serafin Mukandage A 39-year old weaver from the Gitarama region, Serafin is a gifted master weaver who's married with 6 children ages 2-14. Intensely focused and no stranger to hard work, her group of weavers make the exquisite "Bloom" Fruit Bowls. Taught to weave while still in Primary school, Serafin spent the Saturdays of her childhood weaving with her older sister. Today, basket weaving is a family endeavor that allows her to provide for her family. |  |
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"...if these American friends of ours ever come to Rwanda to visit I would like to meet them, and let them know how much their support means to us" Liberata Kayetesi 35-years old, Liberata was taught to weave by her mother, herself a weaver, when she was just a young girl. Today, Liberata makes the Honeycomb Cathedral Baskets, a beautiful interpretation of a traditional Rwandan basket, and a new addition to the 2006 Path to Peace collection. Liberata's husband helps out around the house by working the farm, watching their four young children and even assisting with her weaving by threading sisal on needles and gathering materials. |  |
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"Other people are benefiting from my baskets too, because when I have money my neighbors can always borrow some, if they really need it. I can help take care of my village." Jeanne d'Arc Mukakarisa Taught to weave by her mother and older sister while in the fifth grade, Jeanne is a 33-year old master weaver from the Gitarama region. Starting with small projects, she continued to refine her weaving under her mother's guidance until she could finish a large, tightly woven basket on her own. Today she produces sisal fruit bowls that are noted for their extraordinary fineness, each one defined by beautiful stitching, shaping, patterns and finishing. |  |
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"We'd like American customers who are buying our baskets to continue to buy our products if they like them, because that will allow us to address some of the issues we are facing..." Irene Dukuze Mugaybzu A master weaver whose mother was among the first weavers in Rwanda to use sisal to make baskets, Dukuze has a proud heritage of weaving. Today, she organizes and teaches other weavers to make the exquisite fruit bowls and intricate cathedral baskets. Her beaming smile and strong, bright spirit help her motivate and guide the weavers as they learn the difficult and exacting craft of making a fine woven basket. |  |
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"When I sell a basket I am so happy...I have felt pride for the first time in my life because I am a master weaver. Every single basket we make that you buy changes the lives of the weavers." Pricille Kankindi Pricille Kankindi was raised in the art of fine basket weaving. From a very early age she assisted her mother, also a weaver, by holding reeds together and carefully studying the ancient technique. Though only a teenager during the genocide, Pricille held on to her hope and her optimism in the face of unimaginable violence. Today Pricille lives in a small house with her parents and three younger sisters. At 29 she has become a master weaver, and enjoys guiding other weavers, including her sisters, in the creation of these exquisite baskets. |  |
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