BUJUMBURA, February 27th (ABP) – The art of basket-making is one of the income-generating trades. These are the words of Ezechiel Nizigiyimana, a basket-maker who practises his craft at Bujumbura’s living museum, in an interview with a check by ABP.
Basket-making involves weaving plant fibres to create utilitarian or decorative objects. Nizigiyimana explained that he began this craft at the age of 14 in 1985. This was after receiving training in the province of Gitega, he recounts. Nizigiyimana said that he makes objects of various shapes and models for everyday use, such as tablecloths, trivets, coasters, pictures, curtains and carpets. These are made using components such as ubugwegwe and ibihubahuba, he said. He pointed out that the prices of the objects vary according to the raw material used and the size of the object. He said that trivets are sold for 6,000 BIF, tablecloths for 10,000 BIF and paintings for between 20,000 BIF and 30,000 BIF.