Over the years there has been a decline in the old tradition of basketry and the making of straw hats, bags and other woven craft items.
This is evident in the dwindling number of people making and selling the products on the island.
Eileen Reece, 81, is perhaps one of, if not the oldest weaver in Speightstown who still makes and sells the intricate products. And this mother of three daughters told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY that she will continue producing her goods for some time to come.
Not only does this Bovells Lane, Queens Street, Speightstown, St Peter resident practise the old tradition of basketry, she is also a seamstress.
“I make a little of everything,” said Reece, and her favourites were dresses, straw hats and baskets.
“I get the straw here in Barbados and make the hats and baskets. I have to buy the material; I go to Heywoods. I make them and sell. Tourists and locals buy from me. I am accustomed to doing the work in full, make the hats and baskets, but my work is needlework otherwise. If someone has a funeral I also make the wreath. I do dresses for funerals and weddings,” she said.
Reece said she started her sewing and basketry at age 18 after her mother passed away. She said that in her younger days she would travel to other countries, including America in the 1950s and London in the 1960s where she also practised her trade.
Sitting on a section of the Jordan supermarket’s pavement in Speightstown with only one basket in her stall containing breadfruit and mangoes, Reece said she used to make baskets and hats on a regular basis until two years ago when Tropical Storm Tomas damaged sections of her house.
She was now more interested in selling fruit that she reaps from her land, she said, but her children were well aware of how to make the items and it would be up to them to carry on the tradition when she was no longer able to do it.
“If somebody wants a basket and they have the material, I would do it for them – but when I get money, I will buy a bundle of straw to make some more baskets. This is the only basket here now. I had some more with me but I [sold] them,” she said, and that some items sold for as little as $10 and others as much as $25. (MM)
