The kessi (phonetically, kishie) of Shetland and the caisie of Orkney is a twined back basket usually made of straw and common rush (Juncus effusus). Other plants were used, especially marram (Ammophila arenaria) and dock (Rumex longifolius). The tradition, unique in the British Isles, was a consequence of the local ecology, where there were few durable materials for basketmaking, as well as a dearth of timber. Baskets were used to carry a multitude of things – especially peat – and they were used on the backs of packhorses, or borne by humans. The name kessi is a reflection of the Norse heritage of the Northern Isles and comes from the Norwegian kjessa and Icelandic kassi.
Kishie making requires preparing the materials: harvesting, thrashing and cleaning the straw; cutting and drying the rush or marram. Making involves hand-twisting a rope (simmens) of (approximately 45 metres if making a kishie); weaving the basket by twining the rope round bunches of straw or dock; stitching a border with a home-made needle; trimming and singeing the basket.
The form was quite similar across the region, and the appearance differed little across makers. The baskets and other items were never made commercially, but by the farmers themselves, so quality could range from quite rough to superb craftsmanship.
The standard shape of a kishie was oval-based or wedge shape form and round-based or conical form. Being functional on a farm, but made from relatively impermanent materials, meant baskets were not expected to survive beyond a few years’ use (twined productions in other contexts, like items in seasonal use or for indoor architecture, could survive much longer).
Specialist baskets were made for such tasks as gathering eggs from sea-cliffs, storing salt, or keeping fishing bait. The same twined technique was used to make other items such as fish traps, winnowing mats, building partitions, masquerade costumes. All these constructions used the twining method, with variation seen through the choice of plant and the shape of the finished object.
Market issues: Many of the activities these basketry crafts were used for are no longer done. Where tasks are still carried out that formerly used basketry constructions, mass-produced products are employed instead. There was little demand for such objects, because they were functional, not decorative.
Awareness of the craft: Awareness had become low in the past. However, more people are now aware of the craft and are keen to preserve the heritage of straw basketry in Shetland and Orkney. Classes and straw groups are active and making again, which is encouraging.
Raw materials: Availability of material is an issue concerning the straw; grain cultivation has declined (especially in Shetland), and black oats have virtually disappeared. Farmers aren’t inclined to grow this crop, and prospective basketmakers cannot buy material: as in the past, a maker must be a grower. Eve Eunson and Sam Dennis are working to encourage the cultivation of black oats in Shetland to support a range of straw crafts including straw backed chair making, basket making and thatching.
Loss of skills: The last generation that made twined basketry through unbroken ethnographic tradition is now gone; the only people with knowledge have learned it through a tuition setting. The skills are readily transferable, and its positive that more people are now learning the tradition.
Eve Eunson and other straw artisans now offer straw work classes at the Shetland Museum and Archives during the winter.
Three groups of 10 run simultaneously – covering knotted straw, stitched straw and kishie making. Previous attendees are also welcomed back to work on their own projects.
There are a lot of people who have done a course with Ewen and maybe they make them on an occasional basis.
Shetland Museum and Archives are working with Eve Eunson and Sam Dennis to actively encouraging growth of black oats (Avena strigosa) for use in thatching. Aets have been supplied to them this year. This will help to preserve growing raw materials which could also be used in basketmaking.
Lois Walpole is currently writing a book about Shetland straw craft that will include kishie making.
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