Swazi Baskets of Swaziland - Tintsaba Crafts
Since 1985, Tintsaba Crafts has run a rural development project in the Northern Hhohho region of Swaziland. The project works with women's groups producing and marketing quality crafts. The project is an outstanding success, with some 600 women now producing a wide range of traditional and innovative crafts.

Using a fine coiling technique, the Swazi baskets are woven from sisal, a fiber made from the agave plant which is considered to be an evasive alien plant species originated in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, and introduced to Africa to make the sisal fiber.

Before the sisal is ready for making Swazi baskets, the fibers must be stripped, cleaned, and spun by hand. Weaving is a labor intensive task; it can take up to approximately 40 hours to spin the fine yarn and complete the weaving of  an 11" - 12" diameter basket.