Peace Baskets, known agaseke, have long been an essential part of Banyarwandan culture in central Africa. Typically used for holding foods or grains, these baskets are also used as gifts at important events like weddings.

Weaving in Banyarwanda culture is traditionally a female artform passed down from mother to daughter, but after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, this tradition took on a powerful new meaning. After the genocide ended, many women were left to salvage what was left of their destroyed country. They formed artisan cooperatives to rebuild and provide for themselves and their families, as well as for the many orphans left behind, and the cooperatives decided to use this form of basket as a symbol for Rwanda’s newfound peace. Researched by Jonathan Kodner

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu