UKILI – The Art of Plaiting in Zanzibar

published by solarafrica.network, 2006

written by Antje Förstle, director of the MOTO project and chairperson of solarafrica.network

” This book is the result of several years effort

developing skills for products from a typical

Zanzibari craft aimed at an international high

market.

These efforts match with the long-term

vision of the Department of Commercial Crops,

Fruits and Forestry (DCCFF) and that of MOTO

Cooperatives Network, which seek balancing

the need for poverty reduction at household level

and the sustainable utilisation of the natural resources.

Using materials illustrated in this book

MOTO has reaffirmed how the Wild Date Palm

(Phoenix reclinata) can best be used to produce

an environmentally friendly craft, the ukili,

particularly when prepared using solar energy.

Through these and the mobilisation of women

groups by DCCFFa large number of households

around Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park

are now benefiting from the increasing demand

of the ukili products in Zanzibar Stone Town

and overseas.

Apparently, there is very little reference to this

craft, and the realisation of this book is the

testimony to the wealth of skills among the

women of Zanzibar.

Undoubtedly, the book shall provide

a good reference to some of the superb

plaiting patterns, which otherwise were consid-

ered non-existing in the coastal areas of Tanzania.

Over the last five years I have witnessed the

improvement of ukili products and designs to

which the author of this book, Antje Förstle,

has put personal initiatives. I would like to take

this opportunity to express my gratitude to her.

Now that the finest ukili patterns of the

Tanzanian coast have been documented, let’s

make the best use of it! “

DR. BAKARI S. ASSEID

Director– Department of Commercial Crops,

Fruits and Forestry, Zanzibar.

” … By sponsoring this book ‘Ukili Plaiting in

Zanzibar’ the Embassy has broken new ground:

that of documenting a threatened cultural

heritage.

The decision to support Antje Förstle’s

project idea was easy, thanks to her convincing

concept and catching enthusiasm. During

her research, it quickly became obvious that

a preoccupation with the ‘ukili’ plaiting craft

of the Swahili, which is in danger of being lost,

can last years and that the findings can fill

volumes, especially as ‘ukili’ has barely been

documented up to-date.

With this book, you hold the results of a year’s

committed research combined with numerous

journeys along the Tanzanian Swahili coast

and to the islands of Unguja, Pemba and Mafia,

as well as visits to the museum archives and

libraries in Munich and London.

May the book awaken in you the wish to experience for

yourself the ‘ukili’ diversity of colours and patterns

in Tanzania. By purchasing this book, you have

already rendered a contribution to the conservation

of this craft as the entire proceeds will go

towards the conservation and continued mediation

of old plaiting techniques, which are unfortunately

threatened by extinction.”

WOLFGANG RINGE

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Dar es Salaam

The book ‘UKILI Plaiting in Zanzibar’ is available in the MOTO shop, Hurumzi Street, Stonetown, Zanzibar

Interested? But not in Zanzibar? Please leave a message.