Weaving initiative aims to preserve heritage
ART: Lindiwe Mthongana and Caroline Mntuyedwa make a range of items using grass they get from a river. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane ART: Lindiwe Mthongana and Caroline Mntuyedwa make a range of items using grass they get from a river. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane
A GROUP of women from
Dunoon are making unique traditional artefacts from grass as part of the government's Vukuzenzele initiative.
Established in 2013, the Ahlumile Weave Art Project is made up of 12 women of various ages.
While weaving is usually associated with textile production, the women of Ahlumile use only grass to knit an array of products such as baskets, brewing containers and paraffin funnels.
The women extract tall grass growing near bodies of water and let it dry, which they say can take up to a month before it becomes flexible enough and ready for use.
One of the members, Caroline Mntuyedwa, 52, said although their art was unique, they struggled to get exposure and the recognition they deserve.
“I guess that is because we lack knowledge as we are all uneducated. We don't know how to market our work. As a result of that, some people are taking advantage of us. They pay whatever amount they want to pay. We accept just because we are poor and we have families to feed.”
Mntuyedwa said their artwork forms part of preserving their heritage.
“It is important to keep reminding today's generation of where we come from. That is why we decided to make artefacts using grass. We make ancient traditional assets that we used to take pride in as they defined who we are.”
Explaining the hard work involved in making weave art from the grass, Lindiwe Mthongana said: “We wake up early in the morning to extract grass from nearby rivers.
"Sometimes we have to travel to other places where it is grown, as our grass is unique. We then carry it on our heads while it is still wet.
"After that, we sit around and design artefacts we would like to make for that day.”
They even hire people to help them carry the grass.
Mntuyedwa said after the grass has dried they have to use it immediately, before it becomes stiff. “You cannot bend it when it's stiff as it loses its flexibility. The most difficult part about our art is that we use only our hands to knit.”
michael.nkalane@inl.co.za