Karen Basketry

Erie is now home to almost 100 recent refugees from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Many of these newcomers are from the Karen (pronounced ka-ren) nation, an indigenous ethnic group that has suffered severe persecution under the Myanmar government. Many Karen escaped to neighboring Thailand where they lived in refugee camps for several years before coming to Erie.

The Karen people have a rich tradition of weaving both textiles and baskets. Many kinds of bamboo grow in their homeland and the traditional Karen house is essentially a giant woven bamboo basket on stilts. One of the newcomers to Erie, Pyone Cho, is an exceptional craftsman. He arrived in Erie in April 2008. He is in his 50’s and is considered one of the elders in the Erie Karen community. Pyone Cho grew up in the mountains near Kolgrate City in the Karen nation. His family farmed rice and kept cattle. Being the youngest child in his family, his older brothers and sisters had more responsibility working outside, while he had the opportunity to spend more time with his grandfather who taught him basketry. Pyone Cho is pictured here with four baskets he created in one day. Using donated cane remnants, he artfully wove the various scraps to create patterns and designs that completely belie the fact that the material was salvaged.

Many of the Karen are interested in teaching their youth how to build their traditional bamboo houses. Plans are underway to support local Karen in creating a bamboo house installation at the Lake Erie Arboretum in time for the Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival August 1st and 2nd.

Contact Museum Folk Art Coordinator, Kelly Armor for more information.