Profiling Kiga traditional basketry as a cultural identity product: a case study of Ndorwa county, Kabale district

Abstract

The study on Kiga traditional basketry aimed to profile its cultural significance and promote its integration into the Kiga tourism industry by exploring various forms, material characteristics, and their exhibition potential. The study adopted the qualitative methodology, utilizing a narrative research design that incorporated in-depth interviews and observations with a sample of 18 participants selected from a broader population of 80 artisans, craft hawkers, and curators. Over a three-week period, data was collected through interviews, documentary analysis, and observations, focusing on the cultural identity of Kiga basketry and employing thematic analysis to ensure validity and reliability. The study provided an in-depth analysis of Kiga basketry in Kabale District, identifying thirteen distinct basket forms, including the endiiro basket, which all respondents recognized as critical for food serving and decoration and also reflected on its integral role in Kiga cultural practices. It also highlighted how unique patterns and materials like elephant grass and bamboo, along with traditional techniques such as coiling and twining, are essential for conveying cultural identity. The study concluded with recommendations for enhancing the visibility of Kiga basketry through exhibitions, museum displays, and publications, noting strong support from artisans for exhibitions and unanimous advocacy from curators for publications, thus emphasizing the need for collaborative strategies to preserve Kiga basketry's cultural integrity and ensure its sustainability within the tourism sector.