The coil style of basket weaving has been practiced in Senegal for generations. Traditionally, Wolof women crafted baskets by binding njodax, a thick local grass, with thin strips of palm frond. Palm fronds were difficult to work and hard on the weavers' hands. Large needles and strips of plastic are now used. This simple change in material dramatically reduced discomfort during the weaving process.
Among the Wolof, basket weaving is a woman's craft. In many rural villages across Senegal, the men of the family must work in major cities or abroad and send money to the family. This income alone is not always enough to meet the family's needs, so the women supplement it by weaving baskets. A portion of the profits goes to education, reforestation, and other community betterment projects.
