Support Craft. Support Handmade. 

In the Bolga region, weaving has been practised for generations. Every Frafra basket is crafted from Veta Vera Grass, a resilient grass flourishing in central Ghana. This natural material is carefully dried and then transported northward to Bolga. In Bolga, weavers split each straw vertically, creating a core strength by tightly twisting them back together. Bunches of straw are hand-dyed in water, and with care, weavers handpick the strands for the base, sides, and handle. Starting from the base and ascending, the weaving process takes form. Rims are expertly finished flat or enclosed with straw, creating a distinctive tube-like edge. Working meticulously, crafting a single basket typically spans 2-5 days. The handles are then fashioned from locally sourced goat leather, skilfully made by adept local tanners.

Thoughtful design and creativity has always been intrinsic to the long tradition of basket weaving in Bolga. It's important to us that that the inherent creativity behind every basket does not change. Every basket is distinct, distinguished by the hand-dyed colours and patterns designed by the weaver who wove it.

Support Sustainable.

Bolgatanga, also known as Bolga, is located in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The region experiences an arid climate with a brief rainy season from April to October. Unlike some other rural areas in Ghana, lower soil fertility necessitates different sources of income beyond agriculture alone. In addition to farming, communities weave baskets, providing an important supplementary income. This diversity ensures a stable livelihood year-round.

At Frafra, we bring the expert craftsmanship of Bolgatanga's weavers to the UK. The baskets not only showcase exceptional skill but also support sustainable livelihoods. 

Support Craft. Support Handmade. 

In the Bolga region, weaving has been practised for generations. Every Frafra basket is crafted from Veta Vera Grass, a resilient grass flourishing in central Ghana. This natural material is carefully dried and then transported northward to Bolga. In Bolga, weavers split each straw vertically, creating a core strength by tightly twisting them back together. Bunches of straw are hand-dyed in water, and with care, weavers handpick the strands for the base, sides, and handle. Starting from the base and ascending, the weaving process takes form. Rims are expertly finished flat or enclosed with straw, creating a distinctive tube-like edge. Working meticulously, crafting a single basket typically spans 2-5 days. The handles are then fashioned from locally sourced goat leather, skilfully made by adept local tanners.

Thoughtful design and creativity has always been intrinsic to the long tradition of basket weaving in Bolga. It's important to us that that the inherent creativity behind every basket does not change. Every basket is distinct, distinguished by the hand-dyed colours and patterns designed by the weaver who wove it.

Support Sustainable.

Bolgatanga, also known as Bolga, is located in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The region experiences an arid climate with a brief rainy season from April to October. Unlike some other rural areas in Ghana, lower soil fertility necessitates different sources of income beyond agriculture alone. In addition to farming, communities weave baskets, providing an important supplementary income. This diversity ensures a stable livelihood year-round.

At Frafra, we bring the expert craftsmanship of Bolgatanga's weavers to the UK. The baskets not only showcase exceptional skill but also support sustainable livelihoods. 

How We Do It.

Established in Ghana and based in the UK, Frafra Baskets is a team of 150 weavers in Bolga, Upper East Region of Ghana; Pokka Daa, who works with everyone collectively in Bolga; and Founding Director, Bartie Stagg and Managing Director Olivia Peterson work in Ghana and the UK to build sales and collaborations, whilst Joseph Antony, Logistics and Operations Manager, manages stock and dispatch . Working together without middlemen ensures ethical, economically and environmentally sustainable production. We work collectively to improve product quality, access to the UK and European markets and unlock higher financial returns for each community. Baskets are woven in groups or within a weaver's own home and at a pace that suits family, agricultural and educational commitments.

Our mission is to provide high-quality woven products to you while bringing about meaningful change for every weaver and ensuring weaving continues for generations to come. Beyond ensuring a fair wage, we are building indoor weaving and training spaces, providing wheelchairs for older weavers, an educational fund for promising students who want to attend university or teacher training, and sourcing improved colour dyes.

The Team.

Bartie Stagg, Founding Director, who has lived and worked in Ghana across the agricultural sector for the last ten years.

Olivia Peterson, Managing Director, who has worked across Africa and Europe in the contemporary African art and marketing space since graduating SOAS with an MA in Contemporary African Art.

Pokka Daa, Head of Weavers and Material Sourcing, who was born in Bolga and attended Fashion and Design school in Ghana before starting to work in the basket weaving sector.

Joseph Antony, Logistics and Operations Manager, who grew up and worked in India before moving to the UK following an MA in Business Administration and nine years of retail logistics.

One-hundred and fifty weavers and tanners across ten communities in Bolga, North Ghana.

How We Do It.

Established in Ghana and based in the UK, Frafra Baskets is a team of 150 weavers in Bolga, Upper East Region of Ghana; Pokka Daa, who works with everyone collectively in Bolga; and Founding Director, Bartie Stagg and Managing Director Olivia Peterson work in Ghana and the UK to build sales and collaborations, whilst Joseph Antony, Logistics and Operations Manager, manages stock and dispatch . Working together without middlemen ensures ethical, economically and environmentally sustainable production. We work collectively to improve product quality, access to the UK and European markets and unlock higher financial returns for each community. Baskets are woven in groups or within a weaver's own home and at a pace that suits family, agricultural and educational commitments.

Our mission is to provide high-quality woven products to you while bringing about meaningful change for every weaver and ensuring weaving continues for generations to come. Beyond ensuring a fair wage, we are building indoor weaving and training spaces, providing wheelchairs for older weavers, an educational fund for promising students who want to attend university or teacher training, and sourcing improved colour dyes.

The Team.

Bartie Stagg, Founding Director, who has lived and worked in Ghana across the agricultural sector for the last ten years.

Olivia Peterson, Managing Director, who has worked across Africa and Europe in the contemporary African art and marketing space since graduating SOAS with an MA in Contemporary African Art.

Pokka Daa, Head of Weavers and Material Sourcing, who was born in Bolga and attended Fashion and Design school in Ghana before starting to work in the basket weaving sector.

Joseph Antony, Logistics and Operations Manager, who grew up and worked in India before moving to the UK following an MA in Business Administration and nine years of retail logistics.

One-hundred and fifty weavers and tanners across ten communities in Bolga, North Ghana.

Policies.

Behind the Campaign

Behind the Campaign

From Bolgatanga to Accra In April this year, the team spent two days photographing baskets on the streets, beaches, homes and markets of Accra. The aim of the photoshoot was not just to celebrate t...

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