Batwa Wrapped Calabash Vessel Burundi

This vessel originates from a Batwa community in Burundi. It combines a calabash core with an exterior wrapping of finely woven vegetal fibers, a technique characteristic of the Great Lakes region, particularly Rwanda and Burundi. The basketry wrapping reinforces the vessel structurally while also providing insulation and ease of handling. Such objects were used for the storage and transport of liquids or foodstuffs and reflect the Batwa’s deep knowledge of locally available materials. The form and technique exemplify a shared regional tradition in which ceramics and gourds are integrated with basketry, blurring functional and artistic boundaries.

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