We are basket weavers in Sikalenge

Elina Muleya belongs to a group of basket weavers in Sikalenge Ward. Elina tells how the group was formed. She talks about the challenge of getting Ilala leaves for weaving. The palm tree doesn’t grow well in their area. The women have to walk far, in to the neighboring Ward, Simatelele, to find the leaves. Elina describes how the Ilala leaves are cut and prepared for the weaving and about some of the common patterns the women are weaving in to the baskets. It’s a knowledge that mainly the elder women are still having and cultivating. Achievements of the group include that the women are now owning live-stock, chickens and goats; their goal is to have a garden together at the Zambezi (Kariba Lake), grow tomato and vegetable and sell them. A challenge for the group of weavers is the small market in their area, even though they also sell a bit via the Binga Craft Centre. a recording by Lucia Munenge, Zubo's CBF at Sikalenge; from the radio project "Women documenting women stories" with Zubo Trust, a women’s organization in Binga Zimbabwe bringing women together for self-empowerment. http://www.zubo.org