Mini Pandanus Basket

Mini Pandanus BasketMaking baskets from mangkurrkwa (pandanus leaves) is hard work, but its also a time for women to connect with Countrygathering bush tucker, hunting, and collecting dye roots with family. The pandanus is collected in the rainy season and only the soft, leaves from the pandanus centre are used, carefully pulled out with a handmade wooden hook. The leaves are stripped and shredded into fine fibres using a needle. Once thin enough, theyre dried in the sun

Making baskets from mangkurrkwa (pandanus leaves) is hard work, but it’s also a time for women to connect with Country—gathering bush tucker, hunting, and collecting dye roots with family. The pandanus is collected in the rainy season and only the soft, leaves from the pandanus centre are used, carefully pulled out with a handmade wooden hook.

The leaves are stripped and shredded into fine fibres using a needle. Once thin enough, they’re dried in the sun and dyed using natural colours from roots, shrubs, leaves, and seeds that are also collected.

Different techniques are used to make baskets, like twining (twisting fibres), coiling (stitching over a core), and looping (spinning and extending string).

The women don’t just make baskets, they use pandanus and bark from trees like the Peanut tree (mabalba) and Cocky apple (mukuwara) to make mats, dillybags, string bags, jewellery, and even traditional clothing. These weaving skills have been passed down through generations, keeping our culture strong and connected to Country.

Basket Dimensions - H 5cm x L 8.5cm