Connecting refugees with the Tucson community while helping these individuals develop the necessary skills to gain employment is one of the larger goals of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network. Iskash*taa is working with several Burundian women to market their traditionally woven baskets to the people of Tucson. These women combine techniques learned in Rwanda and the refugee camps of Tanzania with local materials including palm fronds, yarn, and recycled bean and vegetable bags donated from the community to make a variety o f uniquely-styled baskets.
The Baskets
The baskets woven by refugees Eugenie, Tabia and Antoinette reflect the weaving styles of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Baskets with straight sides and pointed lids are typical of the style in Rwanda and Tanzania while the rounded sides and lids are typical of Burundi. In refugee camps in Rwanda and Tanzania, women began weaving baskets to help make ends meet, while the men worked in agriculture. The women made baskets out of the materials available to them, using strands from food aid bags woven around coils of grasses and banana leaves.
Though these baskets were traditionally used to store grain, flour, small household items, and for decoration, they also have cultural significance to Burundians. The baskets would be filled with food or a meal to bring to those sick in the hospital. They would also be given as gifts as symbols of hope and care to celebrate a wedding or birth.
Who are the Burundian Refugees?
Many of the Burundian refugees have spent the majority of their lives in exile from Burundi and most have fled more than once to multiple countries. Some who were born in refugee camps have never seen their home country. In addition to speaking the official language of Burundi, Kirundi, many also speak Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, and French. Frequently, refugees learn English only once they arrive in the US. Before fleeing, many were farmers, and others have skills in weaving, carpentry, tailoring, masonry, and cooking. Today, there are approximately 7000 Burundi refugees living in the United States, and almost 500 Burundi have arrived in Arizona since 2000
The Basket Weavers
Iskash*taa is lucky to work with three Burundian women who weave the distinctive baskets.
Antoinette, Tabia and Eugenie displaying their baskets at the 2008 Meet Yourself Festival in Downtown Tucson.
Eugenie and Tabia were among the refugees who fled to Rwanda in 1972. They became friends while living near each other in Rwanda and moved together to Tanzania and eventually Tucson in July 2007.
In Rwanda, they learned to weave baskets like the people of Rwanda by observing their neighbors and incorporating their existing skills in making the shorter, wider style of the typical Burundi basket. Now in Tucson, Eugenie and Tabia strive for the same goal—to sell their baskets and make money.
They say producing the baskets is hard work causing sore hands and poked fingers and can be very time consuming especially with other commitments like school. However, Eugenie and Tabia find it rewarding to share the beauty of their creative artwork with customers who feel the same appreciation for these baskets. They are very grateful and happy to have the opportunity to use their creative skills and offer something as unique and beautiful as their woven baskets.
Antoinette, now 65, learned to weave baskets by watching her cousin when she was 12 and living in Burundi. Once Antoinette was forced to flee Burundi, selling her woven baskets became her and her family’s livelihood, allowing them to buy food, clothing, or anything they needed. She has woven baskets in all the countries where she and her family sought haven—first the Congo, then Rwanda and Tanzania.
In 2007, Antoinette moved with three of her sons to Tucson; unfortunately one of her sons was unable to come. Today she misses her family but enjoys making baskets and the several new crafts she has learned at the Sewing and Crafts Circle.
The Weavers and the Tucson Community
These weavers have showcased their craft during numerous events in Tucson including Tucson Meet Yourself, Reid Park Peace Fair, Livin' La Vida Verde, Fourth Avenue Street Fair, and the Burundi Cultural Event at St. Francis in the Foothills.
Connecting refugees with the Tucson community while helping these individuals develop the necessary skills to gain employment is one of the larger goals of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network. Iskash*taa is working with several Burundian women to market their traditionally woven baskets to the people of Tucson. These women combine techniques learned in Rwanda and the refugee camps of Tanzania with local materials including palm fronds, yarn, and recycled bean and vegetable bags donated from the community to make a variety o f uniquely-styled baskets.
The Baskets
The baskets woven by refugees Eugenie, Tabia and Antoinette reflect the weaving styles of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Baskets with straight sides and pointed lids are typical of the style in Rwanda and Tanzania while the rounded sides and lids are typical of Burundi. In refugee camps in Rwanda and Tanzania, women began weaving baskets to help make ends meet, while the men worked in agriculture. The women made baskets out of the materials available to them, using strands from food aid bags woven around coils of grasses and banana leaves.
Though these baskets were traditionally used to store grain, flour, small household items, and for decoration, they also have cultural significance to Burundians. The baskets would be filled with food or a meal to bring to those sick in the hospital. They would also be given as gifts as symbols of hope and care to celebrate a wedding or birth.
Who are the Burundian Refugees?
Many of the Burundian refugees have spent the majority of their lives in exile from Burundi and most have fled more than once to multiple countries. Some who were born in refugee camps have never seen their home country. In addition to speaking the official language of Burundi, Kirundi, many also speak Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, and French. Frequently, refugees learn English only once they arrive in the US. Before fleeing, many were farmers, and others have skills in weaving, carpentry, tailoring, masonry, and cooking. Today, there are approximately 7000 Burundi refugees living in the United States, and almost 500 Burundi have arrived in Arizona since 2000
The Basket Weavers
Iskash*taa is lucky to work with three Burundian women who weave the distinctive baskets.
Antoinette, Tabia and Eugenie displaying their baskets at the 2008 Meet Yourself Festival in Downtown Tucson.
Eugenie and Tabia were among the refugees who fled to Rwanda in 1972. They became friends while living near each other in Rwanda and moved together to Tanzania and eventually Tucson in July 2007.
In Rwanda, they learned to weave baskets like the people of Rwanda by observing their neighbors and incorporating their existing skills in making the shorter, wider style of the typical Burundi basket. Now in Tucson, Eugenie and Tabia strive for the same goal—to sell their baskets and make money.
They say producing the baskets is hard work causing sore hands and poked fingers and can be very time consuming especially with other commitments like school. However, Eugenie and Tabia find it rewarding to share the beauty of their creative artwork with customers who feel the same appreciation for these baskets. They are very grateful and happy to have the opportunity to use their creative skills and offer something as unique and beautiful as their woven baskets.
Antoinette, now 65, learned to weave baskets by watching her cousin when she was 12 and living in Burundi. Once Antoinette was forced to flee Burundi, selling her woven baskets became her and her family’s livelihood, allowing them to buy food, clothing, or anything they needed. She has woven baskets in all the countries where she and her family sought haven—first the Congo, then Rwanda and Tanzania.
In 2007, Antoinette moved with three of her sons to Tucson; unfortunately one of her sons was unable to come. Today she misses her family but enjoys making baskets and the several new crafts she has learned at the Sewing and Crafts Circle.
The Weavers and the Tucson Community
These weavers have showcased their craft during numerous events in Tucson including Tucson Meet Yourself, Reid Park Peace Fair, Livin' La Vida Verde, Fourth Avenue Street Fair, and the Burundi Cultural Event at St. Francis in the Foothills.