Agaseke
Ange Muhorakeye
South Portland, Maine
Ange Muhorakeye came to the United States from Rwanda in 2018 and brought her homeland’s basket-making tradition with her. As she was leaving, her mother passed a package of grasses with a needle and thread and a few words: “Do not forget our culture.” She began by making baskets for new friends, eventually selling them in craft fairs and galleries. All of the plant materials come from Rwanda. Each basket and pair of earrings is hand woven with hand-dyed sisal wrapped around sweetgrass. The plants are harvested and the fibers extracted by women in Rwanda. Half of the sale proceeds go to supporting woman and children in Rwanda.