Are the materials for the baskets sustainably harvested?
Yes. In actuality, few of the weavers harvest their own ilala materials. Why? Basically, because of over harvesting of the iLala palm by the Zulus combined with the purposeful destruction of the traditional groves by Europeans during the 19th century (in an attempt to subjugate the Zulus and make them less self dependant) has resulted in very few Ilala palms growing naturally in their traditional areas. Good news, though… one family (about 4 – 8 hours from the cluster of villages that we buy most of our baskets from) sustainably grows and harvests the fronds from the Ilala palm trees. The trees are not killed. The South African government strictly controls the harvesting of iLala palms (both for basket crafting as well as for the production of palm wines/beer). The various grasses and dyes that are secondary to the production of the baskets are typically collected (or grown) by the weavers and are all sourced from non-endangered plants. 5. How are the women Compensated? The cooperati
