A note from Jen — I knew baskets could be tall. Then I saw a Rwandan basket, woven in stages, straight as a column, pattern wrapping every inch. The bottle pairs are made to live together, two shapes answering each other. Woven by more than 5,000 women of the Gahaya Links cooperatives, whose work rebuilds villages.
Ĥu hajim — thank you, from the Wounaan · ❤️ Jen at RFB Woven Art
Rwandan baskets, known as Agaseke, are among the most architecturally distinctive handwoven objects made anywhere. RFB carries them in two scales: 16-inch woven vessels, often sold in pairs, and tall forms of 54 to 65 inches that function as floor sculpture rather than container. Each tall basket is built in two complete layers: an inner bamboo framework gives the form its height, while coiled sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal carry the pattern on the outside.
Woven by more than 5,000 women across 52 Gahaya Links cooperatives, an organization founded after the 1994 genocide as a path to economic independence and reconciliation through craft. RFB is one of very few US sources for Agaseke at the tall scale.
Common Questions
Are these authentic Rwandan agaseke baskets?
Yes. Each is coiled from sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal by women of the Gahaya Links cooperatives — more than 5,000 weavers across 52 cooperatives in Rwanda. Tall pieces are built over an inner bamboo framework that gives them their 54–65 inch height.
Will this exact basket be restocked?
No. Every piece is one of one. Once a basket sells, it is gone and never restocked.
How fast is shipping, and can I return a piece?
Orders ship in 1–3 business days with free shipping in the continental US. Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery in original condition.
How do I care for an agaseke basket?
Dust with a soft dry cloth and keep out of direct sunlight and moisture to protect the natural dyes. See our Care & Display guide.
The Story
Tall Rwandan baskets have long been symbols of peace, generosity, and womanhood. Traditionally given as gifts during weddings, births, and community celebrations, they represent care passed from hand to hand. To give a basket is to share abundance. To receive one is to be honored.
Each piece is woven by women artisans in rural Rwandan cooperatives, using locally gathered sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal. The form is tall and sculptural, with a tight lid and narrow base, a shape rooted in centuries of tradition. The designs often reflect balance, unity, and protection, rendered in bold yet minimalist geometry.
FAQ's
Yes. Each basket is woven entirely by hand by women artisans in rural Rwanda using locally gathered sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal. The techniques are passed from mothers to daughters and have been practiced for generations. Because every artisan weaves a little differently, no two baskets are ever exactly the same. Each one is a true one-of-a-kind piece.
Traditional Rwandan baskets are made from sweetgrass and sisal fibers. The sweetgrass forms the structure of the basket, while strands of sisal are tightly wrapped around it to create the patterns and colors. These natural fibers give the baskets their strength, beautiful texture, and long life.
Tall baskets work beautifully as sculptural accents in a home. Many people place them on console tables, open shelving, or kitchen islands where their height and pattern can stand out.
They also look striking grouped with ceramics or other natural materials. Because each basket is handmade, it brings a warmth and individuality that mass-produced decor rarely has.
A finely woven basket can take many hours, sometimes days, even months and years, to complete. Every stitch is done by hand, using techniques that have been refined over generations. When you hold one, you are holding the time, skill, and cultural tradition of the artisan who made it.
That is why collectors often see handmade baskets not simply as decor, but as small works of art.