African Zulu Ukhamba Beer Basket – Handwoven Tribal Vessel

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African Zulu Ukhamba Beer Basket – Handwoven Tribal Vessel

The Zulus are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for … Read more African Zulu Ukhamba Beer Basket – Handwoven Tribal Vessel

The Zulus are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship.

Dotted on the rolling hills of KwaZulu, there exists a beehive of industry, where numerous women work at the art of basketry. They have taken the traditional art form and turned it into a way in which to supplement their incomes, and in many cases after their only means of income.

The women work in their homes, where they can assimilate basket-making into their normal routine – giving themselves time to raise their children, work in the fields, collect water and other daily chores.

Every basket is made by hand, using indigenous raw materials, and the type of basket varies from area to area, depending on the availability of raw materials, and the use to which the basket is to be put. It can take up to one month to produce a medium-sized basket that will be unique in size, shape, pattern, weave and colour. A true collector’s item.

UKHAMBA

A rigid, bulb shaped container, rendered water-tight by the tightness of the coil/weave and the material used (Ilala Palm). When liquids (generally home-brewed Beer) are introduced into the Ukhamba, the pores swell, whilst the outside sweats, thus keeping the liquid cool by means of evaporation. These baskets are usually very decorative and colourful, particularly those made for ceremonial use.

MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN ZULU BASKET-WEAVING

ILALA PALM – Most desirable. Grows along the North-Coast of KwaZulu. Once cut and dried, the leaf is then prepared for weaving into fine, often water-tight baskets. Natural shade: Cream.

NCEBE – Bark of wild Banana, natural shade: light brown. These baskets are not watertight – used for dry-storage. Dyed Ilala interwoven to impart colour and design.

SOME COMMON COLOURS USED IN ZULU BSKET -WEAVING

All colours are natural, obtained from boiling roofs, leaves, berries and bark of indigenous flora. Many are seasonal.

BROWN/BLACK (sizemane) – Roots of tree, crushed and boiled for many days.

PINK/LILAC (Mpheghumbetu – Leaves of small bush (12-18 hours).

CORAL (Mgwenya) – Aloe Roots (4-6 hours)

PURPLE/BLUE (Umdoni) – Skin of ripe Umdoni Berries (4-5 hours)

BURGUNDY/MAROON (Isfixu) – Bark of Marula Tree (1-2 hours)

ORANGE (Xomisane) – Roots of small plant (2-4 hours)

MUSTARD/YELLOW (Icena) – Paste of wood-ash and water. Soaked overnight. Boiled 5-7 hours

GREY (Ijuba) – Soaked in black mud for up to 1 week.

KHAKI GREEN (Mxuba) – Fresh Cow dung, soaked overnight in water thereafter boiled with palm leaves 4-5 hours. The green colour clearer in Spring.

BASIC DESIGNS

Triangle – Masculine

Diamond – Feminine

Double Triangle – forming hourglass shape Married man

Double Diamond – Married woman

Zig-zag pattern (masculine) “The Assegais of Shaka”

Series of Diamonds (Feminine) “The Shields of Shaka”

Small squares or dots – a celebration of fruitfulness (i.e. good rains, good crops, many cattle, a new child.)

THE “MARRIAGE” DESIGN

A special basket is woven by the Bride, or a member of her family, as a gift from her to the Groom. Which he will use at the Wedding as a beer-drinking vessel. The story of the marriage is woven for prosperity, and for all to see – the more affluent the family, the more detailed the design woven into the basket.

Diamond – the Bride

Double triangle (Hour glass indicates that the groom has been previously married).

The number of points round the outside of the design indicate of the design indicate the number of cattie paid for “labola” (Bride price)

Dimensions:
8” diameter (8" x 8”)
10” high
7.5“ base
Material: African Ceramic
Circa: 2010
Origin: South Africa
Condition: Excellent. See less