Mmaa is more than just a sustainable basket... each straw bag or basket purchased supports weavers and their communities.
The exquisite Binga Basket makes a stunning wall or shelf decoration or table fruit basket. It is approximately 35cm wide and takes two days to weave by the talented artisans in Zimbabwe.
Tusumpulane, which means uplifting communities, is the name of this new collective and it currently consists of seven young women in a rural area 67km from Binga centre. Binga is well known as one of the basket making centres in Zimbabwe, if not in all of Africa, similar to Bolgatanga.
Not only do these beautiful baskets reflect generations of traditional handicraft, they also provide income and financial independence for rural women where employment is scarce. This new and very small, fledgling collective of strong women provides skills transfer and development through a range of training programs and mentorship for marginalized rural women and youth in order to build resilience and help reduce child marriage, exploitation and poverty.
In addition, as a group, the Tusumpulaneartisans use their own profits to provide food to impoverished households, assist students with school fees or necessities like uniform or stationary with a particular emphasis on girls at the verge of dropping out of school.
Hand crafted artisanal products
- Products are completely sustainable
- all fairtrade and much more
- natural IIala palm leaves
- vegetable-based dyes are used to dye the straw by hand
- weaving is all done by women in the collective
- each Mmaa basket that you purchase, a girl or young woman will receive support
Mmaa.social Handwoven Binga Basket
The artisans in the Tusumpulane Collective in Zimbabwe weave each piece from natural Ilala palm. As this is hand woven, each basket is unique and there may be some small differences bearing the mark of the individual weavers on the basket.
Each basket is unique so expect differences in patterns and variations in colour, they all have a personality because of this!
Dimensions: (excluding handles) measures approximately 35cm across
Mmaa was a finalist in the Sustainable Lifestyle Awards "Launch of the Year."
In the Ethical Gift Guide for House & Garden.
Emma Watson appeared on "In the Bag" for British Vogue with her yellow Rita Basket.
Featured in the Telegraph + Observer Monthly Food - Gift Guide for Christmas.
Featuring in the V&A AFRICA Fashion Exhibition 2022 - 2023