Support Us Button Widget

Sweetgrass basket short film “Hands to Heritage” features the Lowcountry

Bloomberg Philanthropies has created a short film based on the connection between South Carolina and Rwanda basket weavers.

CHStoday Hands to Heritage

Master weavers of South Carolina visit the weavers village in a Gitarma village in Muhammad District in Rwanda to meet share and exchange technique.

Photo by Jordan Snowzell for Bloomberg Philanthropies

This past Monday, Mayor John Tecklenburg and Verna Eggleston, launched the premiere of the “Hands to Heritage” short film about sweetgrass baskets.

“Hands to Heritage” is based on the program created in 2017 by Bloomberg Philanthropies to bring economic opportunities to the basket weavers of South Carolina. This program is a step in the City of Charleston’s reconciliation to heal from slavery.

The short film outlines the history of Charleston’s sweetgrass basket weaving industry. The story brings viewers through the weave of Gullah culture coming from West Africa to Charleston and how it lives on today in our city.

Peace baskets were created through this program, and one set was given from Charleston to Rwanda’s central government. The other basket set is permanently on display at the Charleston International Airport.

More from CHStoday
The City of Charleston’s Lowcountry Lowline project has been in the works for years and is set to
Whether you’re planing to dine in or carry-out, we’ve rounded up some options for Thanksgiving dinner in Charleston that don’t involve getting the kitchen dirty.
Thanks to the Beyond Our Gates Foundation, 173 children will receive custom bikes, helmets, locks, and bike pumps in a upcoming giveaway.
Join Charleston’s top bartenders as they compete for the best tequila cocktail while supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
This Veterans Day you may consider supporting one of the several veteran-focused organizations in the Lowcountry that work all year to support veterans.
The approval of a tax increment financing district will help fund the high-profile development on the edge of the eastern Charleston Peninsula.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Here’s the need-to-know information. 🗳
This well-known John Ravenel House is located in historic downtown Charleston and is on the market for the first time in almost a decade.
The team behind Pelato says they aim to bring both authentic Italian dishes and traditions to Charleston — the new restaurant will call the former Butcher & Bee space home.
From composting events to feeding farm animals, the City of Charleston offers several sustainable ways to discard your pumpkins.