Artform: Burundi basket weaving
Cultural Community: Burundi
Residence: Southwestern Idaho

Bio: Basketry has deep roots in Rwanda, where, as a girl, Venantia learned weaving from her mother. Traditionally women wove baskets in spare moments, devoting daylight hours to agricultural work. In Burundi, she says, many people make baskets to keep grain and food. Baskets are used every day for food storage, transportation,  and as decorative objects. Before arriving in Idaho in 2007, Venantia lived for 23 years in a Tanzanian refugee camp, where basket making was her full-time occupation. She belonged to a cooperative association of Burundi women supporting their families by making and marketing baskets. Now living in Idaho,  Venantia continues weaving baskets and is teaching others the tradition in Boise. She hopes to replicate the artists’ association through which she once built community and a livelihood.

Honors/Awards: 2011, Master, Idaho Commission on the Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

For Services Offered, Availability, and Costs, please contact the Folk & traditional Arts Program of the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

Glossary terms: refugee, basket weaving, coiled baskets

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