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4 Interesting Stories to Know before Purchasing an African Moses Basket

Every product has a great story behind it, and An African Moses basket is no exception to this. It is a great product with equally great stories—from where the name came from to why elephants are somewhat involved in the making of these baskets.

Let’s look at the list of stories that make Bolga baby Moses baskets truly fascinating.

Origin of the name

One of the names that have anchored these bassinets in our minds was derived from a story that dates back to the biblical era: Moses’ story. Although the original Moses basket was made from bulrushes, the design is similar to these African-made bassinets.

The name Bolga, on the other hand, comes from the name of the region where these woven baskets are made. Bolga (short for Bolgatanga) is located in the upper East region of north Ghana—a Sahel-savanna area of the country.

The main source of income of the people of Ghana is agriculture-based. But since the growth of agriculture has become erratic because of environmental changes, they took up basket weaving to survive.  Over the years, the rampant rise in basket weaving turned Ghana into a crafts center.

Helps PWDs become productive members of society

Since most could not perform agricultural work, People with Disabilities were overlooked in Ghana in the years past. The Ghana Association of the Physically Disabled (GAPD) addressed this issue by demanding equal opportunity for PWDs. The GAPD started a program with a goal of training a few PWDs in basket weaving. The outcome was a complete success.

Soon after, GAPD expanded its training efforts. The woven baskets that PWDs made were exported to several countries that support fair trade practices. Basket weaving helped the PWDs to earn a decent living and take control of their lives.   

Elephant grass

It’s the primary material used to make Bolga baby Moses baskets. This type of grass is ubiquitous in Africa but can be found the world over. It’s named as such because elephants love to eat them! 

Elephant grass or Veta Vera is classified as an invasive species. They grow in an aggressive phase, quickly dispersing other plants and has a high potential to disrupt the ecosystem if not mowed or cut. That’s one of the reasons why they’re used in various crafts in Bolga. Its strong properties is yet another reason why they are ideal for basket weaving.

Solves social issues

Who would’ve thought that a humble basket could do such a thing? But these beautifully woven Moses baskets have that kind of impact in the lives of Ghanaian female artisans who painstakingly create them.

Basket weaving is more than a source of income for these female artisans. It’s a source of meaningful social interactions that strengthen the emotional and mental well-being of these wonderful baskets weavers. They sing, they dance, and they share stories while carefully crafting each Ghana baby baskets for weeks—starting by splitting the elephant grass with their teeth!

It’s nice to know stories about products that we’re about to buy, right? It helps us appreciate the product more and appreciate the people who make them, too. Do share your Baby Bolga Moses Basket stories with us. We love to hear them!