At Nancy Yema, our elephant grass baskets begin as tall stalks in northern Ghana and end as pieces designed to live in your home. In a world of mass-produced goods, each handwoven basket is a quiet act of resistance — carrying the mark of a human hand, a respect for natural materials, and knowledge passed down through generations. The journey between grass and finished basket is what makes it worth having.
This is the story of that craft: where it comes from, how each basket is made, the many ways to use one, and why supporting traditional weaving matters today.
Elephant Grass Baskets: A Craft Rooted in Bolgatanga
Weaving is among the oldest human crafts, and in Bolgatanga — widely regarded as Ghana’s basket-weaving capital — it is a living tradition rather than a museum piece. The skill moves from one generation to the next, woven into the rhythm of daily life. Patterns and techniques carry meaning: communal stories, shared values, and a deep, practical relationship with the land that provides the material.
Weaving traditions exist across the world, each shaped by its own landscape and history. But Nancy Yema’s story belongs to one place and one community — the women and weavers of Bolgatanga, whose expertise gives every basket its character.
How Elephant Grass Baskets Are Made: From Grass to Finish
The making of a Nancy Yema basket follows a clear sequence, and every stage depends on accumulated skill.
It begins as grass. Elephant grass is harvested so that the roots stay in the ground and the plant grows back season after season — taking what’s needed without depleting the source. The cut stalks are then dried in the sun, slowly and fully, so the fibre won’t shrink or weaken later.
Splitting and twisting. Dried grass on its own isn’t strong enough to weave. Each stalk is split by hand into finer strands and then twisted — which makes the fibre both far stronger and flexible enough to bend tightly without breaking. This invisible step is the reason a well-made basket holds its shape for years.
Natural colour. The colours in an authentic basket aren’t painted on. Natural dyes drawn from local plants, roots, and bark are used to colour the straw, with the fibre boiled in the dye so the colour soaks deep rather than sitting on the surface. It ages gracefully and won’t flake.
Woven by hand, from the base up. Weaving starts at the centre of the base and spirals outward and upward — no frame, no mould, no machine. The weaver holds the whole developing shape by hand, keeping the tension even so the walls rise true. Softer, more flexible pieces use a double-weave technique; firmer, more structured pieces use a single weave. A medium basket takes two to three days of focused work.
Leather and finishing. Many pieces are finished with handles wrapped in locally sourced leather, stitched by hand — the detail that makes a basket comfortable to carry and built to last. Loose ends are trimmed for a clean finish.
Nothing is wasted. Straw left over from the larger baskets is used to make smaller pieces — a genuinely zero-waste practice that long predates the word.
The baskets, and how to use them
Elephant grass baskets are woven into many forms to suit different needs.
Storage baskets bring sturdy, beautiful order to a home — for laundry, blankets, toys, or provisions. Our Kuku storage basket and the Oppdal series show how traditional double-weave techniques adapt to modern living, combining strength with refined design.
Decorative pieces work as centrepieces or wall hangings, adding warmth and texture to a minimalist interior.
Shopping and picnic baskets are lightweight yet resilient — well suited to daily use or a slower, more considered way of living.
Smaller baskets make a gift feel personal, turning an ordinary present into something with character.
If the versatility of these pieces appeals to you, explore the full collection of handwoven baskets at yema.no.
Sustainability, woven in
Sustainability isn’t a marketing layer here — it’s built into the object. Elephant grass regenerates quickly and needs little to thrive. The whole stalk is used, and offcuts become smaller baskets, so very little is wasted. A basket made from grass and leather is renewable, and biodegradable at the end of a long life — the opposite of a plastic storage bin.
At Nancy Yema, our elephant grass baskets are made only with grass and leather, sourced responsibly, and every weaver is paid fully and fairly. Each basket reflects a real commitment to both people and planet.
Made by hand, made fairly
When you choose an authentic, fairly made basket, the money doesn’t disappear into an anonymous supply chain — it returns to the women and weavers who made it, and to the community that keeps this craft alive. That income funds families and education, and it gives younger people a reason to learn the skill rather than let it fade.
We’re proud to collaborate with skilled artisans in Bolgatanga through transparent, fair partnerships. Every purchase helps keep a living tradition alive — and brings a piece of genuine craftsmanship into your home.
Caring for your basket
With a little care, elephant grass baskets last for many years:
- Keep it in dry conditions and out of prolonged direct sunlight.
- Dust regularly with a soft brush or cloth.
- For occasional cleaning, wipe gently with a barely damp cloth, then let it air-dry fully away from direct sun. Never soak it.
- Store it where it won’t be compressed or squashed, and handle it with care.
A piece with a story
Handwoven elephant grass baskets are far more than containers. They are a tangible link to natural materials, to a community in Bolgatanga, and to a slower, more meaningful way of living. Each one reflects the skill, patience, and heritage of the person who made it.
We invite you to discover the collection at yema.no — where every basket tells its own story of craftsmanship, care, and the partnership between Norway and Ghana that shapes everything we make.
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