Basket

Item number K4.152 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Upward flaring, circular basket that has a lozenge design in natural colour and black. The foot shows much poorer quality in comparison with rest of the basket and is noticeably lighter in colour so presumably is not original to the basket.

History Of Use

Woman’s field, or burden, basket (ohumba); used to carry harvested crops and agricultural tools, such as a hoe and pounder. The raised and hollowed base of this basket allows it to be worn on top of the head. Grass weaving is done by both men and women, but baskets are traditionally woven by most women. Angular, particiulary triangular, and ecological motifs are common in Ovimbundu baskets.

Specific Techniques

Basket is made using a coiling process; the height and uniformity indicate this basket maker was very skilled. Dye used in this basket is black. 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.