Basketmaking in South Carolina reflects the blending of Native American, European and African traditions to create two predominate types of baskets - the coiled baskets of the Lowcountry and woven baskets of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge. Native Americans used river cane to plait baskets, mats and fish traps. Europeans maintained Old World techniques and forms, adapting them to new materials like white oak to weave their harvest baskets and clothes hampers. On the coast, enslaved Africans brought their knowledge of rice production and introduced coiled basketry using local sweetgrass, bulrush, palmetto, and pine needles. Today, traditional basketmakers have adapted their forms to a changing market and most baskets are made for decorative use.
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Nancy Basket discusses the importance of the pine needle.
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Franklyn De Loach shares how the baskets were used according to their sizes.
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Marie Manigault talks about how her great-grandmother passed down her basketmaking skiils.
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Mary Vanderhorst talks about how she learned basket making as a child.
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Interviewed by Dale Rosengarten In this interview, Barbara McCormick talks about the places she goes to find the materials she uses to make baskets
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Sue Middleton explained that men would help their wives make baskets.
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Leroy Browne talks about the necessity of basketmaking.
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Maggie Manigault talk about other people who sew.
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Nathaniel Washington talks about different parts of tree.
