Chido Kaseke

PatCh MaokoeZimbabwe

Bag maker

Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation

Hessian bags carrying heritage forwards

Chido works with hand-dyed hessian fibre
She researches practices and processes that are less harmful to nature
Her designs are inspired by her nation’s textile culture

The memories of a childhood spent making and crafting came flooding back to Chido Kaseke during a volunteering stint at her mother and aunt’s handicrafts college. The experience and a growing desire to work with her hands pushed Chido to transform a bag-making hobby into a business. She established her home-based studio in 2015. Chido has a keen interest in researching sustainable materials, practices, and processes that are less harmful to nature. This led her to use hessian, a bio-degradable fibre. “Living in a country with many power outage, it is helpful that the handcrafting process we use requires little to no electricity.” Chido is also invested in supporting the preservation and development of her country’s craft heritage by working with local artisans.

Interview

Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation

Wonai Haruperi©Michelangelo Foundation

Why do like creating with your hands?: When I am creating with my hands, the focus is on that moment alone. I feel free, at ease, at peace and alive. The practice of handcrafting is not only therapeutic, it is also a way to add and leave my mark on this earth.
How is your craft linked to your country?: I feel strongly about the preservation of my culture as an African woman of Shona descent. I am always moved to create bags that share the knowledge of our indigenous dyeing ideologies, which is why I have designed handbags inspired by the material culture of my nation, for example the Ngoma bag, which is a depiction of a Shona drum.
In what ways do you collaborate with other artisans?: I always prefer to source from local artisans who are skilled in a craft. I have worked with artisans who specialise in indigenous dyes and dyeing practices, hand-weaving, and over the years, also wood and stone sculptors. I will continue to do so as a means to support their craft and help sustain their livelihoods.
Why did you choose to work with hessian fibre?: I had past experience using hessian fibre in high school, and have always had a keen interest in items that are looked down upon by people. Hessian is a sustainable, bio-degradable fibre that is normally shunned, and I started researching ways to beautify the material.

Chido Kaseke is a master artisan: she began her career in 2015 and she started teaching in 2016