AFRICAN STRAW Enterprise

(ASE )

 Woven Light, Rooted in Legacy

A woman in colorful African clothing and head wrap weaving a multicolored basket outdoors on dirt ground with trees and other women in the background.

Get to Know ASE

African Straw is transforming traditional Ghanaian basket weaving into luminous, one-of-a-kind lighting.

Each pendant begins with native wild grass, hand-harvested and skillfully woven by a network of artisans in Northern Ghana. What once held grain or textiles now glows with sculptural purpose—elevating homes, hotels, and design-forward spaces with earthy warmth and texture.

From oversized domes to delicate bell shapes, their lighting collection is both rustic and refined. Through Rutledge Atelier, designers can collaborate directly with the artisans to bring their vision to life—customizing size, shape, and even sending an inspiration photo for a color match or design reference. If you see basket in our selection that you want to have made into a pendant, just reach out. We can accommodate most any size you need.

These pieces are more than fixtures—they’re storytelling tools, lighting the way with beauty and cultural heritage.

  • Colorful woven hat with orange, green, black, and beige stripes hanging from a black cord.

    WOVEN WAVE PENDANT

  • Colorful woven hat with pink, green, red, black, and tan stripes and patterns, resting on a white surface.

    COLORFUL BOLGA POT

  • A woven straw hat with wide brim and black decorative patterns, resting on the ground in a vegetable garden during daytime.

    WOVEN PENDANT LIGHT

  • TALL WOVEN BASKET

    BOLGA BASKET

  • Colorful woven basket with a lid, featuring stripes of pink, black, tan, and red, with two beige handle loops on the sides.

    WOVEN PENDANT LIGHT

  • Two woven cylindrical baskets with removable lids, made of natural fibers, with a dark brown striped pattern around the edges, displayed on a plain surface.

    BLACK WOVEN WAVE BASKET

  • An abstract sculpture made of woven material in red, yellow, and orange stripes, shaped into a flowing, organic form.

    WOVEN WAVE POT BASKET

  • A round woven basket with a lid, featuring colorful geometric and stripe patterns in red, black, pink, and white, with two small handles on the sides.

    WOVEN PENDANT LIGHT

  • Colorful woven basket with a lid, featuring stripes of pink, black, tan, and red, with two beige handle loops on the sides.

    AFRICAN STRAW LAUNDRY BASKET

  • Two woven cylindrical baskets with removable lids, made of natural fibers, with a dark brown striped pattern around the edges, displayed on a plain surface.

    AFRICAN LAUNDRY BASKET

  • An abstract sculpture made of woven material in red, yellow, and orange stripes, shaped into a flowing, organic form.

    WOVEN WAVE POT BASKET

  • A round woven basket with a lid, featuring colorful geometric and stripe patterns in red, black, pink, and white, with two small handles on the sides.

    AFRICAN LAUNDRY BASKET

HOW IT WORKS

Baskets & Pendants, Reimagined

Found a basket you love but want it tweaked just so? Dreaming of turning it into a pendant? Have an inspiration photo you’ve been saving? With ASE, your vision is always in reach.

Every piece is handcrafted to order—whether it’s a one-of-a-kind woven pendant or a set of decorative baskets. Our team can help customize shape, scale, and color combinations to suit your space or project. We specialize in multiples, making ASE ideal for large installations or adding cohesion across a room.

Need retail-ready inventory or bulk orders? We’ve got you. WE offers wholesale pricing for stores and designers looking to stock handmade artistry.

From single statement pieces to full-scale installs, we’re here to make it seamless.

Coleman Atubilla

Founder’s Story

Coleman Atubilla founded African Straw Enterprise (ASE) in 1994 with a simple but powerful vision: to create meaningful, sustainable income for women artisans in northern Ghana. What began with just a handful of weavers has grown into a dedicated, village-based collective known for its craftsmanship, integrity, and impact.

Originally a teacher, Coleman left his profession to devote himself full-time to ASE — inspired by the women in his community, and by his late aunt who first taught him the art of basket weaving. Raised by a single mother in a household of seven, he understood early on the importance of financial independence, especially for women.

ASE now partners with skilled weavers across several villages, led by master artisan Ayine Ayinbono, to produce beautifully crafted Bolga baskets and woven home décor. The enterprise ensures that artisans are paid fairly and upfront, and prioritizes full transparency, ethical trade, and reinvestment in community resources like clean water and education.

ASE is not just about craft — it’s about legacy, empowerment, and honoring the beauty of what human hands can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Handwoven in Northern Ghana, these sculptural pendants and baskets bring organic elegance to every interior.

  • You can submit a photo of your inspiration, and our artisans will work to match the color palette and design. We offer a range of natural and dyed grasses that can be woven together to meet your vision.

  •  We can supply woven shades only, or offer the option to include a UL-listed pendant kit upon request for an additional fee.

  •  All ACE products are handmade in Northern Ghana by a collective of skilled artisans using traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations.

  •  We use sustainably harvested wild grasses native to Ghana. These grasses are strong, flexible, and ideal for creating long-lasting woven forms with beautiful natural texture.

  •  Yes! Most of our basket forms can be adapted into pendant light shades. You can select from existing styles or request a custom size and shape.

  •  Standard sizes range from 12" to 28" in diameter, but we can create custom pieces up to 36"+ for large installations. Custom dimensions should be included with your request.

  •  Lead times vary depending on complexity:

    • Ready-to-ship pieces: 1–2 weeks

    • Custom baskets and pendants: 6–8 weeks
      You’ll receive a timeline when your order is confirmed.

  •  Each item is carefully packed at the source using protective materials suited to the scale and fragility of the piece. While ACE packaging varies based on the shape and size of the item, we ensure every shipment is durable enough for long-distance travel. Oversized pendants may be lightly compressed for more efficient shipping and will relax to their intended shape when unpacked.

  •  Clean gently with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high humidity, as this can alter the material’s natural tone and shape.

  • Absolutely. Our pieces have been used in hotels, restaurants, and boutique retail environments. For large volume or hospitality orders,