Bahamas • Culture
From market stall to studio: a new generation learns island straw work
Plaiting techniques passed down through families are finding new life in bags, hats and home pieces.
Straw work has long been part of island markets, with plaiting techniques passed from one generation to the next. Younger makers are now carrying the craft into small studios and online shops.
Learning the plait
Apprentices start with simple flat plaits before moving on to patterned work. Experienced makers can tell where a piece was made from the pattern alone.
New shapes, old skills
- Structured bags and hats for everyday wear.
- Table runners and wall pieces for homes and hotels.
- Commissions for weddings and community events.
Keeping it local
Makers encourage buyers to ask where and how a piece was made, and to choose work plaited on the islands.
