UKILI – The Art of Plaiting in Zanzibar
published 2006
written by Antje Förstle, founder of MOTO Zanzibar and DADA Zanzibar
contact: dada@dadazanzibar.net
” 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
contact: dada@dadazanzibar.net
” 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
April 5, 2010 at 12:32 am |
Having done a bit of research on Zaramo basketry and matmaking in the 1980s, I am very interested in your project and in this publication. Is there a distributor in the US, or is there some other way I can obtain a copy?
March 2, 2011 at 8:30 pm |
i would love to buy a copy of the book- ukili- the art of plaiting in zanzibar.
i am currently researching african plaited braids at the rca, london, and working on a project in uganda. really interested in the varieties and where it all started.
June 5, 2011 at 9:57 am |
I am interested in buying this ‘The Art of Plaiting in Zanzibar’, but I live in UK and was wondering if there was a chance it could be sent to me somehow? I need it quite urgently for some research.
Please let me know what you can do!
Nicole Mitchell
August 27, 2011 at 3:43 pm |
I am really into your project.Is there any way to get this book at UK?On the way to conduct the research regarding ‘Design and branding strategy for Swahili craft’,i would like to have your book for research.Please let me know;)
Apart from that,your project is soooo fabulous:)
September 19, 2014 at 1:01 pm |
Hello Antje – this after years – but looking through the Moto plaited products – oh wow!!!! congratulations to all of you for achieving these fabulous results. is it still possible to get a copy of your book on plaiting? lots to swap news about – my email is below
October 21, 2016 at 1:21 am |
Please tell me how much the book is…i am in Zanzibar and would like to visit your workshop
February 27, 2018 at 7:22 am |
sorry for ‘years late’ reply. if you are still interested in the book, we may send it to you, depends where you live … please write to dada@dadazanzibar.net
November 16, 2016 at 7:08 pm |
Hello
We are in Zanzibar on holiday near jozani forest and could call at the workshop on our way to the airport on Saturday. Do you have the Ukili plaiting book there and how much is it please.
Thank you
February 27, 2018 at 7:22 am |
sorry for ‘years late’ reply. if you are still interested in the book, we may send it to you, depends where you live … please write to dada@dadazanzibar.net
February 26, 2018 at 10:54 pm |
Can i Gent the book iam in Portugal
saporitimanuel@gmail.com
February 27, 2018 at 7:18 am |
please write to dada@dadazanzibar.net. thanx