This beautiful and delicate basket is the quintessential Rwandan gift. The artisan weaves for about a week using valley grasses and banana leaves over a papyrus frame to create each Traditional Peace Basket.

In Rwanda, Traditional Peace Baskets are often used to hold gifts - like the one given by every bride to her new husband's mother. These baskets are then proudly displayed in the home or used to contain dry goods such as beans or rice.

The Traditional Journey Design

Our artisan partner Pascasie told us that the basket's traditional pattern, called umuraza, represents a path travelled together. Imagine two friends walking together to visit another dear friend. On their heads, they carry traditional baskets, filled with gifts from their harvest. They journey together down the path, through the hills of Rwanda, pausing to chat and continuing on to the home of their friend.

A gift to a mother is given discreetly, held in a beautiful basket.
It is the mother who holds the secrets of the heart.  - A Rwandan Tradition

The peace baskets are made by artisans from the Agaseke K'Amahoro Cooperative. We invite you learn more about them here.

The Handcrafted Details

• Crafted from valley grasses and banana leaves then woven over a papyrus frame
• Masterfully sized, the lid snaps on by aligning it with the base from back to front
• Small imperfections, differences in shape, size and colour are normal and are what make each item unique. This is all part of the handcrafting process
• Artisans weave for about one week to complete one peace basket
• Dimensions: Approximately 12.5" tall (including the lid)
• Care: Dust with a smooth, dry cloth or feather duster
• Country of Origin: Handcrafted in Rwanda