Basket weaving is very old but has survived technological advances.
The place where baskets or baskets are manufactured and/or marketed is known as basketry . The term is also used to refer to the art of making this type of product .
Basket making
Basket weaving, in short, is the activity carried out by those who make baskets. These individuals, meanwhile, are called basket makers or basket makers .
The basic actions of basket weaving consist of rolling and weaving the fibers to shape each basket. These are very old procedures, which emerged about fourteen thousand years ago.
Basket weaving even includes ornamentation work. This is because, in general, items are intended to be beautiful and useful. Thus each basket reaches a new dimension.
The basket
A basket is a container that is made from wood or flexible fibers such as reeds, reeds or wicker. These items are used to store or move various types of items, from fruits and vegetables to clothing. The tall and large basket is called a basket .
Broadly speaking, it consists of a base , an axis and side walls . Basket weaving experts, in addition to making these essential segments, can incorporate handles and other accessories that improve the functionality of the creations.
Classification
Basket weaving, and by extension baskets, can be classified into several types, thinking about the materials and techniques used to make these very popular products. The oldest and most used is called a spiral . It consists of superimposing scrolls that are later sewn with successive stitches. This technique is also known as coiling .
The woven basket, on the other hand, is made using wide strips of plant origin. In this case the fabrics are woven, making them pass from one side to the other. Its main application is the making of mats, bags and containers, and it stands out for its versatility. While this technique is sometimes called braiding , it is important to understand that the latter involves crisscrossing a minimum of two strands in different directions. It also has many uses, such as making hats.
Openwork is ideal for obtaining products with curves or spherical parts, and is used in the manufacture of egg cups and bags. We can also mention the twisted or linked weave , which requires the use of two weft threads: one that allows the structure to be established, and another that surrounds it. Finally, there are mixed techniques, which combine two of the techniques just mentioned, generally twisting and weaving.
Relevance over time
It is important to highlight that the passage of time did not overshadow the relevance of basketry. Today this work is still highly valued and its products are appreciated as handicrafts in numerous places.
Baskets are colorful and useful, an unusual combination.
The advancement of technology , therefore, did not change the social perception of basketry. There are rural communities and tourist destinations that incorporate these products into their offering to their visitors. This resistance to the social and economic changes that have annihilated many disciplines can be compared to that opposed by other professions, which are generally related to the manual arts.
History is not usually very generous with traditions . Although this may be positive in cases of violent customs, which require the mistreatment of animals or exploitation in any of its forms, when it comes to the artisanal production of products the result is different, since no one benefits from it. his disappearance. Keeping basketry alive brings us closer to our ancestors , it allows us to look at life with a broader perspective because it reminds us that our species has been on this planet for thousands of years.