Herero - Mbanderu - Botswana

Herero woman with ehoro milk pail - Circa 2004 - Status is beauty and beauty is status!

The Mbanderu or Ovambanderu of Botswana share a common history and culture with the Herero. The name Mbanderu, is derived from the term mbandu denoting 'people', and oruu meaning 'reeds'.  'People of the reeds' is presumed to reference their place of origin - located somewhere in the area of the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa.

Oral tradition records that the pastoralists Herero, Mbanderu and Owambo, left the area gradually - migrating south-west. It is possible that the Herero and Mbanderu initially were one people as so many of their cultural traits overlap. Both groups escaped Deutsch-Südwestafrika (Namibia) to the British protectorate of Bechuanaland (Botswana) during the Herero Genocide from 1904. Today, the majority of Mbanderu farm along the south-west section of the Okavango swamps including Lake Ngami, thus remaining 'The people of the reeds'.  Their main source of income is through cattle and their diet largely consists of milk, butter fat and meat. 

Mbanderu - Herero woman with status 'Ehoro' milk pails. Circa 1930 and 2002

Mbanderu / Herero social life is for the most part, centered under a canopy shelter, located outside the home where they reside. Material belongings are mostly placed on the floor - where as treasured objects like Ehoro milk pots are found affixed to the wall. The visual effect finding them there as you walk in, both pleases and confirms their ranking of high status.

Important daily routine takes place outside near or under the canopy. Activities include drinking tea or sour milk, cooking, washing, child care and the churning of butter.

Ehoro milk pails, funnels, ladles and large gourds are used in the production of fresh or sour milk and butter. 

Three wooden items, all carved from the Acacia tree, are used by the Mbanderu when drinking milk, serving sour milk and or the production of animal fat butter. Wooden ladles serve as spoons and are called Orutuo. These are used as cup or for pouring. Sculptured funnels called Ombhako,  assist with the pouring milk into large gourds for making butter / fat.  Milk pails called Ehoro are status objects used to drink from and or pour.

Sour milk is added to large gourds. The gourds have stoppers as long as the gourd is deep. They are suspended from the canopy, then swayed side to side for hours. The milk is thus churned into butter and / or fat .

Red ochre powder 'derived from crushed stone' is mixed with butter fat. The paste is applied to all important wooden objects and the body. It repels insects from the wood and skin, while enhancing the cosmetic look of the object and person. In earlier times, most Central, Southern and East African people applied the animal fat mix to their entire body.

The Ginzberg Collection - Africa Forms - pg. 59

Ehoro pots were owned by affluent women. The women safeguarded the ehoro at home; their use was reserved for their husbands. More then one ehoro may be owned by women who would only reluctantly part with one, due to their traditional value. Recently the gallery made it's forth trip to Mbanderu country. In the field, people commonly argued that they could not sell their ehoro as no one knew how to make them anymore. They also expressed that the owner was not around to sell them; even if you were speaking to the actual owner! In reality, ehoro confirm marriage which explains their significance and why only after a husband or wife dies, the sale of an ehoro may be considered.

_____

 

This Ehoro was lovingly restored by it previous owner, not to hold milk - but for status. Note that the symmetry resembles vessels from the African great lake region, particularly those of the Shi. (Shi containers discussed further down the web page.) The Botswana Council of Churches closed its Museum located at Etcha 6 during 2009. This and other objects were purchased.

_____

 

 Ehoro 511

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

 

Ehoro 511 at + - 29 cms or 11.5 inches tall.

 

 

This Ehoro and the one that follows, were collected from the old woman pictured above (left). Her daughter (above right) negotiated the sale of both vessels. Both Ehoro are large and found hanging on the wall of the old lady's home. One had recently been rubbed red ochre paste.

_____

 

Ehoro 512 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

 

Ehoro 512  at  + - 31 cms or 12 inches tall.

 

 

The old lady took the second Ehoro outside to add ochre - but we intervened. She explained it was not in a pristine condition to pass on. We explained we preferred the surface on it to remain 'as is'. In the end she sort of held onto it - as though she were saying goodbye. This is the largest example on offer. It has a small irrelevant crack which a native repaired by using an attractive wooden peg.

_____

 

 Ehoro 513

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

 

Ehoro 513 at + - 26 cms or 10 inches tall.

 

 

This is a wonderful example because with a number of native copper and iron wire repairs found thereon. Open the thumbnails above to view their detail. The mans wife had died, so he was able to sell the vessel, but insisted on demonstrating how it was used as a large cup.

_____

 

 Ehoro 514

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

 

Ehoro 514 at + - 24 cms or 9.5 inches tall.

 

 

This lady had two Ehoro - but only parted with the smaller one. She took it outside and began to wash it.

 

 

We explained this wasn't necessary, where upon she started to smear the surface with ochre animal fat paste. There was no stopping her as she said it looked best this way. We agree and her effort resulted in a fine pumpkin-like finish. The Ehoro has a small wire work repair.

_____

 

 Ehoro 8186

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

 

Ehoro 8186 at + - 24 cms or 9.5 inches tall.

 

 

This lady added fresh red ochre which subsequently was absorbed by the wood. She took delight demonstrating how an Ehoro might be used to fill a calabash by using a carved funnel. This pot is asymmetrical and has a brilliant - detailed repair running down its cracked side. 

_____

 

 Ehoro 516

 

 

 

Ehoro 516 at + - 24 cms or 9.5 inches tall.

 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

This ehoro had been abandoned at the death of the owner. A relative ran off to fetch it. Its decorative carving represented a visual style and powerful ascetic that deserves preservation. The person who buys this - buys a piece of Mbanderu / Herero heritage which would otherwise have been lost. Be sure to open the thumbs for a detailed picture.

_____

 Ehoro 515

Ehoro 515 at + - 28 cms or 11 inches tall.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

This Ehoro was owned by a real clown. The lady was an absolute riot! The pot has a delicately inserted plug, securing a crack and is sold with the ladle. She explained her husband had died, that she would use her iron cup rather then a ladle, but then would NOT part with a funnel. (She needed that as she was blind.) The Ehoro has the longest decorative leather strips we have seen, while the ladle itself has old brown Scooby wire - enabling it to be attached to the wall.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images