Upcountry insight: Weaving not for culture but economic development

NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — For some people, weaving is for cultural identity. But women in Kinigi, Musanze District are involved in weaving for economic purposes, thanks to the bamboo woods surrounding the Volcano National Park. The bamboo trees have provided raw materials used to make different items including baskets and mats which can fetch money. Whereas Gorilla tracking remains the most popular activity along the park, women in the area have started a new business of making weavers, baskets, and mats. These have not only attracted tourists but have sold out the Rwanda artistry culture industry abroad. Using dry banana leaves, the women have made wonderful crafts, including hand bags, plates, spoons and gorilla cartoons all at display at the local and international market. The women work from the newly formed organisation, Ibyiwacu village, where true traditional regalia can be found. The village was set up by area residents, with symbolic traditional grass-thatched huts. The facilities made by the women are partly used to decorate the huts. Apart from the main hut, there are three other huts where traditional healing practises are exhibited. Here Kinyarwanda traditional dances are performed, and traditional magical herbs are displayed. The idea to set up the village was conceived after realising that there was more to attract tourists than gorillas. The residents were helped by Edwin Sabuhoro, a conservationist, and Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) to set up the village from where the women found their fortune. Working under four associations from Nyange and Kinigi sectors, the artisans, through Virunga Artisans, a non-profit organisation which promotes arts and baskets in USA, had the crafts featured at this year’s Global Philanthropy Forum, USA, which was attended by many influential dignitaries including Bill Clinton, the former President of USA; Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa; and Queen Rania. It was reported that the large baskets and weavers from Kinigi weavers were used as centrepieces for the 60 tables. The table tent was telling the weavers’ story on one side and mountain gorillas on the other. Other products were exhibited in the foyer, while a profile of the artisan groups was displayed in another part. However, Elaine Gardner, the regional manager of Virunga Artisans, says that whereas there is a ready market in the USA, the artisans have failed to meet the standards in terms of quality of the products expected to compete on the international market. She also says that the available products cannot meet the demand in the USA. She believes that organisational capacity and innovation is still lacking among the members. With support from FECAR-Federation des artisans et artisan de Ruhengeri, five women were taken to Bambolulu handicraft centre in Kenya for a study tour on how quality arts and crafts are made. Berlina Nyiramatsiko, the chairperson of the solidarity fund for conservation, another women association, said that women need to take the business seriously if they are to benefit more out of it. “All members of the associations have bought mobile phones. We employ other women especially those who organise the materials used for making the weavers but most of the women take it lightly,” Nyiramatsiko says. With the help of IGCP-International Gorilla Conservation Programme, funded by PAB-Protected Area Biodiversity project, over 100 women were this year trained in making coloured weavers, mats, dining table baskets. The trained women have helped train others. They were also briefed on market orientation, costing and pricing, commodity development, and product display. This seems to be bearing fruit. This is one of the direct ways through which the neighbours of the park benefit directly from the tourism industry, and it has promoted community conservation program which is being promoted by ORTPN. Women’s concerted efforts to reap from the tourism industry in the area have boosted the economic welfare of the area residents. Men are full time makers of crafts which are in form of gorillas, being shaped on different products like sticks, chairs. Ends