A Brief History of the Sweetgrass Basket Ladies

The art of sweetgrass basket weaving has been passed down from one generation to the next and is a craft learned during childhood. Much practice and patience are required to make these creative baskets and each artist has their own slightly different style. Sweetgrass or Mary’s Grass (scientifically named Hierochloe odorata or Anthoxanthum nitens) is aptly named in that when it is cut, it produces a sweet smell.

These sweetgrass baskets are made of several different kinds of grasses—tan sweetgrass, thick dark bulrush, and longleaf pine—which are woven with long strips of palmetto leaves. Each basket is carefully and meticulously handmade and therefore creates a multitude of variations in size, shape, and style which are seen throughout the Lowcountry.

These coiled sweetgrass baskets 1st appeared in the Lowcountry during the late 17th century and are historically significant examples of African cultural heritage transported to the Gullah Islands from across the Atlantic. Originally, these baskets were used as implements on plantations for agricultural purposes such as rice production and harvesting. By the 1980s household baskets were being created for decoration as well as use.

Today, sweetgrass basket weaving remains an integral piece of both artistic and cultural fabrics that make up Charleston and the entire Lowcountry, including the 7-mile stretch of Hwy 17 in Mount Pleasant designated as the Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway.

Without the involvement of the entire family, including children, this legend could very well disappear as it is believed that only about two hundred families carry on the tradition. As such, it has become a family tradition where the men and boys will harvest while the women and girls create.
One notable artisan in the field, Mary Jackson, has brought worldwide attention to the art and her work is even displayed in the Smithsonian. She brings unique contemporary touches to her pieces which set her skill apart from many other weavers. She notes that her works are the natural evolution of the baskets woven by her mother and grandmother. It is her unique precision and the influence of her time spent in New York that makes her stand out. She has had an immense impact on the sustainability of the grasses gathered by many harvesters from their natural habitat. Together with help from conservationists and the city of Charleston, grasses have been salvaged to help preserve the sweetgrass basket tradition. This effort resulted in the donation of land at McLeod Plantation where these plants can flourish and continue to grow for years to come.

Additional efforts have been made by other weavers to save this potentially dying art form. Notably, Corey Alston, a fifth-generation weaver, with over 14 years in his craft, has created a modern twist on this tradition. Seeking to help keep the Gullah tradition and culture alive with his displays at the Charleston City Market, he created an app. The 3D “Build Your Sweetgrass Basket” app allows customization, cost, and craft estimation all in one place. This is his way to keep the “dying art form and... this Gullah tradition alive through modern technology.”

~ Kristen N. Granet