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Zulu Basketry
South Africa
Basket Made by Phumelele Mhcongo
Phumelele
Mhcongo is a master basket weaver from Kwa Zulu Natal. She is well
known for tight woven, over sized baskets, beautiful baskets.
Baskets can take up to two months to make.
Phumelele Mhcongo - Field Image
Zulu baskets
were an integral part of Zulu tradition and custom. Decorative
beer baskets were made for special events and purposes such as
marriages, harvest, fertility, birth and as gifts to family or
special friends. They were bound and stitched by hand "water
tight" from grass and Ilala palm leafs
(Hyphaene Coriacea). The natural color of the palm is beige.
Other colors were came from natural dyes such as bark, berries,
leaves, clay, roots, dung and combinations.
Another HUGE Zulu Basket
(by Phethelephi Mhlungu), constructed to hang on the wall.
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Larger Images
Phumelele Mhcongo
Another
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by May Zulu
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Larger Images
May Zulu is another
specialist who makes massive baskets and works in the same area. This
example is so large that it is supported with an iron stand.
Zulu
basketry nearly died out with the introduction of enamel, tin and
plastic utensils.
Click this
thumb to view a short article on Zulu basketry.
Basket Names:
Ukhamba: A rigid
bulb-shaped container rendered watertight by the tightness of the
coil-weave, and the material used (Ilala Palm). Generally used to
serve sorghum beer on ceremonial occasions.
Isichumo: A rigid, bottle-shaped basket used for carrying
liquids, it has a lid, which fits over the neck like a cap. The same
technique is used for the Ukhamba and works on the same principles.
Isiquabetho: A large open shaped basket, traditionally used
for gathering and carrying grain.
Iqoma: A
bowl-like basket with deeper and inward curving sides, also used for
carrying grain. Many have a concave base, which comfortably sits
upon the head.
Master Weaver Beauty Ngxongo
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