In its wider sense, the basketwork technique takes the place of joinery in the building of the frames of hut and house walls, roofs, fences and sledges. It is basketry proper, the containers and fabrics, however, that give the most scope for the creation of something that is beautiful as well as useful, and the people of southern Africa have exploited this. Each technique has many varieties. As far as is known, woven basketry is the older. Its main techniques are chequer, twill and twine.
Sewn work is the more commonly used in southern Africa.
It may have a straight or a coiled foundation and there is a good deal of variety in the way it is sewn. The foundation may be single, multiple or twisted cord. By the manipulation of the elements or by the introduction of colour, or both, much decorative effect can be achieved. Obviously, the most important factor in the making of basketry is the availability of suitable materials. Not only that, but the form of the articles made will be influenced by the type of material that is available.