The Basket.

I want to tell you the story of when I truly met these extraordinary baskets.

Baskets have been a quiet presence in my life for as long as I can remember—used for storing, decorating, and sometimes transporting all sorts of things. They are timeless companions of humanity, crafted and used for thousands of years, so essential that they appeared independently in different parts of the world, shaped by the materials and needs of each place.

Yet, despite their familiarity, I had never truly seen them—never understood the depth of their existence. That all changed in 2010 when I began working as a designer with an NGO supporting artisan groups across Colombia. I traveled deep into the Amazon to an Okaina community, a tribe on the brink of extinction.

Getting there wasn’t easy. I flew to Leticia, boarded a small, creaky aircraft to La Chorrera, and finally traveled downriver in a wooden canoe. My guide, an indigenous man who moved with a quiet grace, barely spoke as we navigated the thick, green jungle that seemed to pulse with life. When we arrived at the Okaina community, I stepped off the canoe, my tired feet sinking into the soft, wet earth, and I instantly knew my life was about to change.

The community was like something out of a dream—wooden houses tucked into the lush jungle, a river gleaming under the golden light, children laughing as they played. In the heart of this paradise stood a large palm hut, a place where the people gathered at night to reflect, discuss, and make decisions. And then I saw them—the baskets. Not just one, but dozens, maybe hundreds, each beautifully crafted, each unique. They were alive with open patterns, earthy tones, and subtle details that seemed to tell their own stories.

I sat down with Alfredo, a master weaver who patiently began to teach me how to weave. As his hands moved with rhythmic precision, I realized he wasn’t thinking or calculating; he was simply making. His movements were so natural, so harmonious, that it was clear the technique had become part of him. He had learned it as a child, and the skill was now embedded in his very being. But long ago, someone had to discover this—through trial and error, through experimentation—until they created something not just useful but enduring.

“Alfredo,” I asked, “how does a basket become traditional?”

The basket seemed to look at me, almost amused, as though I could never fully understand. “It’s not about me,” it seemed to say. “It’s about what I do for you.”

I continued weaving as Alfredo explained how he ventured deep into the jungle to gather the vines used to create the baskets. The existence of each basket was intertwined with its territory. It was born of the jungle, shaped by the materials available and the needs of the people.

“You see,” the basket seemed to whisper, “I am strong so I can carry crops from the fields without breaking. My open patterns let the soil fall away as I move. I am practical, functional—made for use. But I am also a symbol. Rosita carries me home with pride, displaying the fruits of her family’s labor to her neighbors.”

Suddenly, I understood. A basket was not just an object; it was a bridge. It connected the hands of its maker to the lives of those who used it. It carried stories, culture, and knowledge woven into every fiber. Its value came not just from its craftsmanship but from its purpose—from the people who filled it with meaning.

When Alfredo finished weaving, he carefully inspected the basket, running his hands over its sturdy rim.

“For you,” he said, smiling as he handed it to me. “I’m sure it will become an important part of your life.”

As I made the long journey back to the city, I thought about all the baskets I had seen. Each one felt like a living presence, with its own personality, its own purpose, its own soul.

When I arrived home, I unpacked my basket and placed it on the table. It seemed to look around, waiting patiently to see what it would become. I smiled, knowing that this basket—this seemingly simple object—was now part of my story, and I had become part of its purpose.