Basket Item Number: 906/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Coiled basket that flares slightly outwards. Black and brown geometric designs radiate from the centre of the inside of the basket and on the sides of the basket on the outside. On the top coil of the basket, there are small black and brown woven geometric designs.
History Of Use
Grass weaving is done by both men and women, but baskets are traditionally woven by most women.
Specific Techniques
Dyes used in this basket are yellow and black. Yellow dye is made from roots of wild rhubarb (ocilunguluila). The roots are pounded and placed in cold water with the grasses used to create the coils. Afterwards, the mixture is placed in a fire to boil for half an hour, turning the grasses amber-yellow. Black dye is made when the leaves of evava are mixed in a solution of iron obtained from stagnant muddy pools. Grasses are placed into the evava-iron solution and boiled to darken. It can be darkened further by boiling the solution again with the addition of pounded ungalo leaves.
Item History
- Made in Angola
- Owned by Anne E. Copithorne before November 15, 1983
- Received from Anne E. Copithorne (Donor) on November 15, 1983
What
Who
- Culture
- Ovimbundu ?
- Previous Owner
- Anne E. Copithorne
- Received from
- Anne E. Copithorne (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Angola
When
- Ownership Date
- before November 15, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on November 15, 1983
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- excellent
- Accession Number
- 0906/0004