Back in the 1970s, my father, who worked at the local branch of PNB, was gifted by his client with this uway basket with an attached cover. His client, a man from the northern part of the Negros Island, told him that he made and sold uway baskets. So, my father ordered one.
Uway, the local name for rattan, is a popular material for baskets because they are durable, pliant and versatile. When my father's order came, his officemates at PNB saw it and also ordered baskets from the maker, and because the man got more orders because of my father, he gifted my father with a bigger uway basket!
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For years, my mother would bring the basket to picnics at the nearby beach. She used it to carry plates, cups, utensils, and food.
When I saw these baskets in the storeroom the other day, I took them out, inspected them, and found that they are still usable! After all these decades!
But what fascinated me was the artistry and creativity! Since I hated Geometry and Drafting in high school, I am amazed at how the fibers were woven, twisted, knotted, and tied to give the basket an oblong shape that looked, well, sosyal! I don't know if that maker had a diagram of the basket written down on paper, but, I guess, it was a combination of his skill and artistry that created these baskets!
I am no expert but there must be a thin bamboo strip that serves as a frame but it is still strong and looks durable that it can carry my santol!
These baskets are now at least 50 years old with expected loose uway at the handle. They have outlived appliances and other electronics, and probably me someday.
My hands may touch them as baskets but my eyes see them as works of art.😎
#uway #uwaybasket #rattan #rattanbasket #artistry #artisan #nature #baskets #santol
