Beaded Binga Baskets

Beaded Binga Baskets

Beaded Bingas: Just like the Painted Binga Baskets, the Beaded Binga baskets have the same origin, also handwoven in Zimbabwe, but instead of using paint the basket border is beaded. This process is very time consuming and our very patient, hardworking, tenacious Nomathemba from Khayelitsha does this for us. She is such a talent and has a great eye for design and was taught to bead by her mother who lives in the Transkei. Her mother supported her family be weaving and beading, just like Nomathemba supports her daughter by beading and sewing today.

Meet the artisan

Nomathemba

My name is Nomathemba and I am from the Langquosi Tribe.

Nomathemba is our motivated, creative, and resourceful artisan who patiently beads her mother’s Xhosa baskets one bead at a time.

Nomathemba’s mother never attended school, and when she was young, she was taught the skill of weaving using strong reeds called Ingculu. Soon thereafter Nomathemba’s mother was selling her baskets on the roadside by Kei River.

When Nomathemba finished school in 2013, she wondered if beading the edges of the baskets may help to sell more. Her incredible skill, foresight, and hard work, continues to support her family today.

Lets appreciate her baskets knowing exactly the journey and hard work behind each piece.