Dave demonstrates the removal of the outer layer of the air root which is discarded. The inside is the pale golden yellow tough fiber used to make wicker baskets and furniture. Notice that the method used is anything but high tech. This is the way it has been done for centuries. When Dave makes small baskets or very detailed finishing the root needs to be split.
Dave demonstrates the removal of the outer layer of the air root which is discarded. Click on picture to watch youtube movie.
Dave demonstrates the removal of the outer layer of the air root which is discarded. Click on picture to watch youtube movie.
Dave demonstrates splitting the withes. Not all the withes is split as it depends on the application. Click on picture to watch youtube movie.
Daves favorite place to work on his special spot on the beach in Negril
When David is not in Bog Walk he spends time in Negril selling to the tourists. This is his favorite spot on the strip of beach that Negril is famous for. Seven Mile Beach.
The work never stops. Here he is stripping a huge bundle of withes.
more
still more
stretched out some of these vines are close to 30 feet
David with his simple stripping tool
the bounty after a few hours in the bush harvesting the withes
Simple tools will do the job. A stick attached to a tree branch. Watch the video above to see how it's done.
7 mile beach in Negril looking north
7 mile beach in Negril looking south
David displaying his baskets on the beach
who wouldn't be smiling to be able to work in this environment.