History of Seagrass Weaving
Basket weaving is one of the oldest traditions in the world. Almost every culture has had at least rudimentary abilities in the weaving of baskets – so the history of seagrass weaving baskets is a long and distinguished one.
Seagrass Weaving
But it is also a more recent one. The history of seagrass baskets themselves can be traced back to the 1600′s. It was in the rice plantations of South Carolina that Seagrass weaving became an art form.
The slaves who had come over from Africa were well versed in weaving baskets. So they again took up that tradition, using the local seagrass as the material to weave. Seagrass proved itself to be one of the better weaving materials and soon the circular baskets (to become known as fanners) were used in winnowing rice.
As such the methods used, even to this day, in the creation of hand woven seagrass baskets are very much based on the African method of basket weaving. In the hundred of years since the slaves first created these wonderful baskets not much has changed in the methods of their creation.
Modern History of Seagrass Weaving
The modern history of Seagrass weaving is a little bit different. It is still largely associated with seagrass weaving methods of old – but how it is used has changed. Whilst baskets are still a very stylish, traditional item people also weave carpets, chairs and more from seagrass.
Many poor areas of the world make considerable amounts of seagrass woven items to ehlp bring in an income, giving rise to the fair trade movement in seagrass items along with many other 3rd world creations.
