The Eastern Cape is one of the most culturally diverse and interesting regions in South Africa today. It is also home to many skilled artists and craftspeople. The catalogue of Eastern Cape Craft is a project which aims to bring exposure to the local crafters of the Eastern Cape and showcase their wares to the broader local and international community. The diversity of the craft produced in the Eastern Cape is astounding and ranges from historic indigenous items of Xhosa culture (traditional ceramics, woodcarving, grass-weaving, beadwork and attire) to contemporary beadwork, spinning and knitting, glass blowing, wire work and sewing. Crafters are constantly creating useful and aesthetic ways to make a living, but lack of exposure and geographical remoteness often prevent them from receiving the recognition they deserve. Funded by the Department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, and the Eastern Cape provincial arts and culture council, the project started out as a modest directory of Eastern Cape craft. Featured crafters each have a dedicated page including useful background information as well as photographs of the crafters and their wares.
The guide has been tailor-made for tourists wanting to explore the various craft routes in the seven districts of the Eastern Cape, and handy listings of contact details as well as a pull-out poster map indicating the location of each craft project make this publication an indispensible craft shopping and travel guide.