From Myanmar to Melbourne:

With the world turned upside down and borders closed, international shipping has proven difficult at times. Pali Baskets, a Melbourne store, can attest to this.

Pali was born in a small Myanmar village. The partnership began in awe of the Burmese people and their ancient weaving processes, which have been passed down through centuries.

Maggie and Cass are a mother-daughter team from Melbourne, Australia, who have been collaborating with a local guide and interpreter to interact and trade directly with the villagers and bring their craft to the rest of the world.

Colourful pallet strapping is weaved into baskets, with reused and recycled plastic utilised when possible.

Though the journey has been far from easy with Maggie and Cass struggling to get their locally manufactured baskets out of Myanmar amid COVID and a severe military crackdown. The fate of the local makers and rural communities is strongly reliant on their businesses. Ni, their local liaison on the ground, has worked a few miracles to get the baskets out and money routed to the weavers from Melbourne.

Pallet strapping that has been discarded on the streets is often waste from manufacturers or the transportation and packing industries. This strapping is reused and placed in the baskets to add strength, and it's also used to link the handles and bases on Passionfruit baskets. Plastic bottles and other plastics collected from gutters, streets, and beaches are used to make recycled strapping. This not only helps to clean up the environment, but it also offers these artisans a way of earning a living.

Handles are manufactured from rattan (a native climbing palm with long stems) that has been removed of thorns, cleaned, and moulded into a spherical handle. The base is composed of bamboo that was also obtained from local farmers, so supporting their way of life.

Locals, including monks, carry shopping, fresh food, flowers, and fresh fish in traditional and market style baskets throughout their daily life. They are long-lasting, powerful, and sturdy.

Pali works with roughly 600 skilled craftspeople spread over four communities, each led by a female village chief. They work from the convenience of their own homes, where they can look after their families and take care of household duties.

Due to economic constraints, development options for rural Burmese villages have been limited. Trading directly and putting on-going orders ensures that the villagers and the rest of the community have jobs. As a result, financial security and the capacity to educate families and plan for the future are provided.

Shop Pali Baskets