
Keeping the Tradition of Sweetgrass Basketry Alive
.jpg)
Sweetgrass basketry is an ancient art form that has been practiced by the Gullah people of the Lowcountry for generations. This unique craft is an important part of the culture and heritage of this community, and efforts are being made to ensure that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy. Here are some interesting facts about sweetgrass basketry that you may find fascinating:
​
-
Sweetgrass baskets are made using a coiling technique that has been passed down through generations.
-
The sweetgrass used for these baskets grows in the marshes and is harvested by hand.
-
Each basket is unique and can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks to complete, depending on its size and complexity.
-
Sweetgrass basketry has been recognized as a significant art form by the Smithsonian Institution and other prestigious organizations.
-
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in sweetgrass basketry, and many artisans are working to keep this tradition alive.
​
By supporting Gullah artisans and learning more about this beautiful art form, we can all play a role in preserving the legacy of sweetgrass basketry for generations to come.
​
The Weavers Nook is a South Carolina-based business that specializes in crafting handmade sweetgrass baskets and jewelry. We also offer workshops throughout the state for those interested in learning the art of sweetgrass weaving, workshops are offered statewide
History of Sweetgrass
​
​
The Art of Sweetgrass Basketry: A Rich Tradition in South Carolina
For over three hundred years, the African art form of sweetgrass basketry has thrived in South Carolina. Coiled baskets were used in rice harvests wherever rice was grown along the South Atlantic Coast. Despite the decline of rice production from the Civil War to World War I, African American basket makers continued to create baskets on plantations and small family farms they had acquired. Today, these baskets are still visible in basket stands along Highway 17, street corners in Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina. While materials, functions and techniques of construction have changed, the tradition has remained strong. Sweetgrass sewn with palmetto leaves is now the preferred material, replacing bulrush bound with oak splints or palmetto butt. The wide winding trays once used to separate chaff from rice are now repurposed for various functions. Vegetable baskets that once carried vast amounts of produce to market are still made but for indoor use. Covered storage baskets, which once held grain, yarn or sewing supplies can now be seen holding everyday household items.
​
The division of baskets by function has roots in Africa. Men traditionally made heavy field baskets, while women made smaller baskets for storing and serving food. On Low Country Plantations, basket making was typically reported as men's work. The baskets were designed to withstand years of hard labor and were bound with an interlocking stitch, with the binders of a row passing under the stitches of the row before.
Gullah baskets, as they are sometimes called, have been continuously produced since the 18th Century. Low Country Coiled Basketry is one of the oldest crafts of African origin in America. Today, museums and art collectors from around the world purchase these baskets. Each basket is a unique sculpture that reflects the cultural heritage and history of a unique people. A basket's value increases with age and with proper care, it can last indefinitely. Examples of Low Country Coil Basketry exist today that are well over a century old.