Earthwide Edition / Weaving Makenge Baskets in Zambia

At Utopia & Utility, we are thrilled to introduce our Earthwide Edition: Zambia Collection, launching in September 2023. While the pieces are still being created, we invite you on a journey to explore the extraordinary craft behind them.

Basket-Making Traditions Around the World

Basketry is one of the oldest crafts in the world, with diverse traditions rooted in material availability and cultural function. From willow baskets in Europe to straw and fine reeds further south, every region has its own techniques and textures.

However, the art of fine basket weaving is particularly rich on the African continent, where methods have been honed over centuries using native plants and intricate techniques.

Discovering Makenge Baskets

We first encountered Makenge baskets—silky, golden, coiled masterpieces—at a craft fair. They were handmade by women in a Zambian refugee camp, using roots of the Makenge bush. Their beauty, resilience, and the story behind them captivated us instantly.

Sustainable Harvesting and Meaningful Making

To make each basket:

• Only select roots of the Makenge bush are carefully harvested to allow the plant to regenerate.

• The roots are peeled and cleaned to create a golden fiber ideal for coiling.

• Each basket reflects both sustainability and skill, handled with care by women deeply attuned to their environment.

This process respects both nature and tradition, highlighting the remarkable balance between community, craft, and sustainability.

Collaborative Design Across Continents

For the Zambia Collection, we collaborated with local UN partners to ensure fair payment and clear communication with the women artisans.

To help the weavers match the baskets to our European-made elements, we provided:

• Paper templates for shape and size

• Creative freedom to design their own patterns

• Guidelines for precision and fit, especially for the basket rim

Each basket takes about one week to complete, reflecting an intensely labour-intensive, meditative, and individual process.

No two baskets are ever the same—each carries the signature of its maker.

Material Contrast at Its Best

As with all Utopia & Utility designs, the rim of the Makenge basket is shaped to locate and connect with other materials—whether it’s blown glass or turned wood. This interplay of natural fibers, human touch, and contrasting materials is central to our aesthetic.