Handmade S Africa Zulu Ukhamba Beer Wedding Gift African Basket with Lid OS-06
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Handmade S Africa Zulu Ukhamba Beer Wedding Gift African Basket with Lid OS-06:
$600.00
Handmade S Africa Zulu Ukhamba Beer Wedding Gift African Basket with Lid OS-06 Handmade S Africa Zulu Ukhamba Beer Wedding Gift African Basket with Lid OS-06
Traditionally woven to store beer, these baskets are handwoven in South Africa and often give as wedding gift. This basket with a tight-fitting lid is adorn with the traditional Zulu design in natural dyes.
15 inches tall x 19 inches wide x 19 inches deep
Meet the Artisans
Ilala Weavers is situated at Hluhluwe within the province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The organizations was established some 30 years ago, with a clear vision and objective of revitalizing and enhancing the age-old Zulu tradition of handcrafts, which at the time were in danger of being lost forever.
Today, Ilala Weavers helps over 2000 Zulu men and women, to attain self sufficiency, by working from their homes and therefore retaining their lifestyle and rich heritage of basket weaving and bead work, which has been passed down through the generations by Zulu crafters. Their modern counterparts today produce stunning works of art, sought after the world over. Each basket is completely unique, and an artisan may spend up to six months weaving a single piece!
Feel the mystery and essence of Africa with these superb Zulu baskets, each one unique and lovingly hand stitched.
In this age of modern technology and mass production, it is a joy to see and feel the dignified elegance and beauty of a rich Zulu heritage that has become a collectable art-form, preserving an age-old tradition proudly safeguarded and handed down through the generations.
Every basket is made by hand, using indigenous raw materials, and the type of basket varies from area to area, depending on the availability of raw materials, and the use to which the basket is to be put. It can take up to one month to produce a medium-sized basket that will be unique in size, shape, pattern, weave and colour. A true collector’s item.
Zulu Basket TypesIMBENGE - A small, saucer-shaped bowl traditionally woven with Ilala palm and grass fibres. A modern version is woven by men from telephone wire, resulting in a bright kaleidoscope of colour and pattern and very collectable. The imbenge is used as a platter for serving dried foodstuffs, as well as used upside down to function as a lid or cover for the clay beer pots. When not in use it is hung up on the wall of the hut as part of the décor.
UKHAMBA - A rigid, bulb shaped container, rendered water-tight by the tightness of the coil/weave and the material used (Ilala palm). When liquids (generally home-brewed beer) are introduced into the ukhamba, the pores swell, whilst the outside sweats, thus keeping the liquid cool by means of evaporation. These baskets are usually very decorative and colourful, particularly those made for ceremonial use.
ISICHUMO - A rigid, bottle-shaped basket used for carrying liquids, it often has a lid which fits over the neck like a cap. The same stitching technique is used as a Ukhamba and it works on the same principle.
ISIQUABETHO - A large basin-shaped basket used for gathering and carrying grain. The smaller bowls are used for serving dry foods such as beans, fruit or nuts.
MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN ZULU BASKET-WEAVING
ILALA PALM – Mostly desirable. Grows along the North-Eastern Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Once cut and dried, the leaf is then prepared for weaving into fine, often water-tight baskets – Natural shade: Cream
NCEBE – Bark of wild Banana, natural shade: light brown. These baskets are not watertight - used for dry-storage. Dyed Ilala interwoven to impart colour and design.
SOME COMMON COLOURS USED IN ZULU BASKET-WEAVING
All colours are natural, obtained from boiling roots, leaves, berries and bark of indigenous flora. Many are seasonal.
*BROWN/BLACK (isizimane) – Roots of tree, crushed and boiled for many days.
*PINK/LILAC (Mpheghumbetu) – Leaves of small bush (12 – 18 hours)
*CORAL (Mgwenya) – Aloe Roots (4 – 6 hours)
*PURPLE/BLUE (Umdoni) – Skin of ripe umdoni berries (4-5 hours)
*BURGUNDY/MAROON (Isfixu) – Bark of Maula Tree (1-2 hours)
*ORANGE (Xomisane) – Roots of small plant (2-4 hours)
*MUSTARD/YELLOW (Icena) –Paste of wood-ash and water. Soaked overnight, boiled 5-7 hours.
*GREY (Ijuba) – Soaked in black mud for up to 1 week.
*KHAKI GREEN (Mxuba) – Fresh Cow dung, soaked overnight in water, thereafter boiled with palm leaves 4-5 hours. The green colour is clearer in spring.
Zig-zag pattern (Masculine) - “The Assegais of Shaka”
Series of Diamonds (Feminine) - “The Shields of Shaka”
Small squares or dots – a celebration of fruitfulness - (i.e. good rains, good crops, many cattle, a new child.)
THE “MARRIAGE” DESIGNA special basket is woven by the Bride, or a member of her family, as a gift from her to the Groom, which he will use at the Wedding as a beer-drinking vessel. The story of the marriage is woven for prosperity, and for all to see – the more affluent the family, the more detailed the design woven into the basket.
Thank you for Shopping The Village Country StoreDO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. FAIR TRADE. SHOP ARTISAN CRAFTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.We are committed to fair trade and long term relationships with artisans. Our mission is to offer income-generating opportunities to craftspeople in developing countries by following fair trade practices including paying in advance at least the market price for items, ensuring that craftspeople receive payment, and ensuring that the craftspeople work in fair working conditions. We work directly with artisans, craftspeople, and producer groups to achieve these goals and hopefully help improve the lives of some of the people with whom we share this planet.
Payment Shipping ReturnsPAYPAL
Payments:PayPal Payments Only: PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express & eCheck are all gladly accepted via PayPal.
Priority Mail for US and International orders. Please note that international orders may get charged Duty and Taxes by your the country of destination. You are solely responsible for any duty or taxes.
Returns
Our policy lasts 30days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange. General Returns
*To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it.
*Please contact us for a return authorization and shipping instructions.
*Please include the paperwork you received with your order or a print out of your email confirmation to enable us to process your return.
*Be sure to return with delivery confirmation and provide us with your tracking number.Damaged Goods
If good arrived damaged due to shipping in transit, then you must contact your Post Office in you locale to initiate a claim. We are not responsible for items damaged during shipment.
Handmade S Africa Zulu Ukhamba Beer Wedding Gift African Basket with Lid OS-06:
$600.00