Palm Leaf BasketsThe vegetable ivory palm gives a strong and pliable fiber which is used as binding materials. the whole leaf is cut with a knife and afterwards splint into stands and dried. After drying they can be colored normally they are weaved along with long grass and these make the baskets colorful and decorative.
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Makenge BasketsMakenge tree and its extensive surface root system supplies the raw materials for the range of products which have the best commercial potential. The trees grow in the upland forests separating the plains. no problem in sourcing the materials and tend to look at the trees as an un-limited supplier of roots. After harvesting the roots are then carried to the village and left to soak in a steam before use, they are split into stands of different thickness according to the purpose and can be dyed with numerous colors.
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Harvesting
Makenge is famous for its long strong roots which grow horizontally over a long distance- up to 10m and are in the way able to collect nutrients from a large area, which is essential in this type of soil. It is these roots that are dug up and used for baskets making.
Roots can be taken from the same tree once a year after that it would have successfully regenerated, with education on harvesting techniques which MCA is in use on environmental, crafts will not pose a threat to the ecology for example. the makenge tree. up to 10 meters long, roots is dug from the ground and chopped to at least one meter away from the tree trunk so that trees survive s and spout new roots by the next rain season. the experience is that the more the proper harvesting techniques are followed, the more the roots multiply. In fact, when you harvest one root, three more are generated(multiply)
The fact that no major ecological damage has happened so far has but this still encourages MCA to put in place measures for future utilization.
Most makenge is made out of fine ends of the root system. As a result, most of the developed root structure is left intact thus facilitating re-growth the crafts producers have adopted the rotational system in which alternately one of the trees is harvested, thus giving other places time to regenerate.
Women are gaining a larger share in earning of crafts making as they make most of the makenge basketry while men do the curving.
At the present, level of production, there is little cause for concern, and this should remain the case even after increased production, provided that a great deal of care is taken, in the form research, education and reforestation were necessary. Makenge tree is a component of the natural vegetation found throughout Western province. Kalabo district is the main area of makenge basket production and the tree is found here in sufficient abundance for any current level of production.
Roots can be taken from the same tree once a year after that it would have successfully regenerated, with education on harvesting techniques which MCA is in use on environmental, crafts will not pose a threat to the ecology for example. the makenge tree. up to 10 meters long, roots is dug from the ground and chopped to at least one meter away from the tree trunk so that trees survive s and spout new roots by the next rain season. the experience is that the more the proper harvesting techniques are followed, the more the roots multiply. In fact, when you harvest one root, three more are generated(multiply)
The fact that no major ecological damage has happened so far has but this still encourages MCA to put in place measures for future utilization.
Most makenge is made out of fine ends of the root system. As a result, most of the developed root structure is left intact thus facilitating re-growth the crafts producers have adopted the rotational system in which alternately one of the trees is harvested, thus giving other places time to regenerate.
Women are gaining a larger share in earning of crafts making as they make most of the makenge basketry while men do the curving.
At the present, level of production, there is little cause for concern, and this should remain the case even after increased production, provided that a great deal of care is taken, in the form research, education and reforestation were necessary. Makenge tree is a component of the natural vegetation found throughout Western province. Kalabo district is the main area of makenge basket production and the tree is found here in sufficient abundance for any current level of production.
ProcessUp to ten meters along roots from the makenge tree, are dug from the ground and chopped at least one meter away for the tree to survive and sprouts new roots by the next rainy season. The roots are then carried to the village and left to soak in a stream before use, they are split into stands of different thickness according to the purpose and can be dyed with numerous colors.
PatternThe pattern on both makenge and palm leaf baskets work are similar and they carry some meanings on them e.g. stylized zebra is common, tortoise shell, elephant etc. trees and others. The pattern on the baskets symbolizes the protection of the animal while the trees is the sustainable utilization of the natural resources.
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Mumwa Crafts AssociationFounded by Kekelwa Mundia
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