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African Basketry - Zulu Baskets

 

Corbeilles Africaines - Paniers Africains - Paniers Zoulous

 

Afrikanischer Korb - Afrikanische Korbwaren - Afrikanische Körbe

 

 

 

 

 

Chokwe Basket - Pende Basket

 

 

This basket was collected in the Congo - DRC. Both the Pende and Chokwe used related prestige food storage and presentation bowls or baskets. (the Chokwe only where they neighboured the Pende in  North Angola and Congo DRC) These baskets served as lidded containers, but when opened provided two bowls. The construction ensured that when used as bowls, each was uplifted. This was accomplished by fibre weaving (main base) and by attaching bark wood (top cover or bowl), thus added a longer and more stable life to the basket.

 

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The basket below was collected between 1910 and 1913 from the Pende or Bampende in the DRC.

 

 

American Museum of Natural History - New York

 

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Beaded Basket

 

Mozambique ?

 

 

 

 

This is a small basket, even for Tutsi. We have asked contacts who agree, the fiber construction is not Tutsi and as you can see, neither is the makers choice or combination of bead colors.

 

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The object was rediscovered in the UK, together with an amount of beaded gourds. From the association to the gourds, we suspect this basket is South East African. The beaded gourds may be from Malawi, Mozambique or Tanzania.

 

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Mbunda Basket - Barotse Plane

 

 

 

 

The Mbunda - Luvale and Luchazi of Western Zambia and Angola, made baskets from the roots of the mukenge tree, which enhanced the longevity of the object. This is a large cassava flour root basket used to catch and hold cassava flour.  The small nipple at the centre is a century's old addition intended  to add durability to the basket by spreading away any build-up of cassava meal from the point most apt to rot.

 

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Mukenge root was carved down to a desired thickness in long lengths, then soaked in water for a month before weaving. The use of mukenge hard root extended an article’s life. There are those who will incorrectly say these heavy-duty baskets are Lozi or Barotse.

 

 

 

 

The flour basket was collected by John William during the 1980's.

 

 

Another

 

 

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This is a small personal container called katumbwa, used to store magic hunting potions by the Lucahazi, Mbunda and Luvale - all groups living in Western Zambia, in and around the Barotse Plane. It is made from mukenge root. Numerous hunters explained that it was once widely believed the potions contained therein made the hunter invisible to wild game. 

 

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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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Phumelele Mhcongo

 

Another - by May Zulu

 

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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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Compliments of...

 

Gallery Ezakwantu

 

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If your family traded, visited or lived in Africa, or if you know of others who did and remain with old beadwork, pipes, sticks or ethnic photographs, please contact us. Click the treasure box above to learn more.

 

 

 

 

 

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