Bark To The Roots Initiative (B2TR)

Anchored in ethos of the sustainable development goals, reminding us to preserve both our heritage and the environment. It endeavors to bring together people who are working with barkcloth in different and innovative ways, including those who harvest it and those who are using it. B2TR aims at saving the barkcloth heritage that is recognised by UNESCO.

The 3rd annual Bark to the Roots (B2TR) event titled Past, Present and Future, was the beginning of the campaign to plant one million mutuba trees from which barkcloth is made. The event that was held at the Uganda Museum was hosted by London-based designer José Hendo who extensively uses the cloth in her creations, and Bukomansimbi Organic Tree Farmers Association (BOTFA) who are growing the trees and getting the younger generation into the ancient practice of processing mutuba tree bark to create the cloth. They are working with the community to pass on the techniques to the younger generation so that the practice does not become obsolete.