Making and inserting mid-section braces and handles in a basketry fish trap

Ewe fishermen prepare and insert coiled wooden hoops into the body of a basketry fish trap (exa). Maxwell Gbadago splits a bamboo (pamplo ti) culm that will be used as a belt or strap (feblade dzi ti) to secure the trap's tongue (exa woade) as Dzobo Sebastian and Dzobo Reuben prepare wooden hoops to brace the middle section (exa-dome ti) of the trap body. With the hoops properly sized, Sebastian angles them into place, using feet and hands to position them. With the braces installed, Sebastian and Reuben hammer long sticks along either side of the join line on the trap body. Speaking English, Maxwell Gbadago explains their purpose, which is to serve as handles and to strengthen the trap body against the force of rocks that are placed on top of the trap to hold it in place in the water. Akanyakrom, Banda District, Ghana.