Tonga Binga Basket Zimbabwe 21 Inch

Tonga Binga baskets are traditional handcrafted baskets made by the Tonga women of Binga district in Zimbabwe. Crafted with intricate designs using locally sourced materials like ilala palm leaves and grass, these baskets feature a unique "snake's belly" pattern on the edges. They originate as woven squares and transform into nearly perfect rounds. Functionally used for winnowing grain, they're also known as "grandmother baskets" due to the declining number of younger women making them. Weaving these baskets is a skill-intensive, time-consuming process involving collecting, drying, dyeing, and weaving the materials into symbolic patterns. These baskets serve multiple purposes, from carrying food to being decorative items, and are a significant income source for Tonga women who sell them at markets and to tourists. Symbolizing the cultural heritage of the Tonga people, these baskets are both beautiful and emblematic of their tradition.

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