Made to orderSaleBolgatanga · Northern Ghana
Bolga Baskets — handwoven in northern Ghana
Every Bolga basket here is woven by hand from dried elephant grass in and around Bolgatanga, in Ghana's Upper East Region. Weavers split each stalk by hand, roll it into twine, dye it, then build the basket around its base without a mould — which is why no two are ever the same. We buy directly from the weavers, so the price pays for skilled handwork rather than a chain of resellers.
9 handwoven pieces — market baskets and trays, fans, laundry baskets and pet beds.
Made to orderSale
Only 1 leftSale
Made to orderSale
Only 1 leftSale
Only 1 leftSale
Only 1 leftSale
Only 1 leftSale
Only 1 leftSale
Only 1 leftSaleHow a Bolga basket is made
01
Harvest & split
Elephant grass is cut, sun-dried, then split lengthwise by hand and rolled into a fine, strong twine.
02
Dye
The twine is boiled in dye baths to reach the deep blues, greens, pinks and ochres that define each basket.
03
Weave & finish
Weaving starts at the base and spirals upward freehand — no mould. Handles are wrapped in goat leather or woven straw.
Bolga basket questions
- What is a Bolga basket?
- A Bolga basket is a basket handwoven from dried elephant grass (veta vera) in and around Bolgatanga, the capital of Ghana's Upper East Region. The grass is split by hand, dyed, then woven around a base and finished with a leather-wrapped or woven handle. No two are identical because every basket is shaped entirely by hand without a mould.
- What are Bolga baskets made from?
- They are made from elephant grass, a tall straw that grows in northern Ghana. Weavers harvest it, split each stalk lengthwise, roll it into a twine, and dye it with vivid colours before weaving. Handles are often reinforced with goat leather.
- How do I reshape a Bolga basket?
- Lightly mist the basket with water until the straw is damp but not soaked, gently press it back into shape with your hands, then let it dry away from direct heat. The straw becomes pliable when damp and holds its new shape once dry.
- How do I clean a Bolga basket and stop it from moulding?
- Dust it with a dry brush or vacuum on low suction. For marks, wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Keep baskets out of prolonged damp — never leave them wet or store them in an unventilated space — and mould will not form.
- Where can I buy authentic Bolga baskets?
- Etni'KS sources its baskets directly from artisan weavers in northern Ghana and ships across Europe and worldwide. Every piece is paid for as skilled handwork rather than bought through resellers.
More African craft
Bolga basketry is one of several techniques we work with. Explore the rest of the collection, or read how these crafts are made.