Zulu Bowl Basket South Africa

A handmade basket made by the Zulu People in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The Zulu are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship. Zulu basketmakers are widely considered among the best in the world. Dotted on the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, there exists a beehive of industry, where numerous women work at the art of basketry. They have taken the traditional art form and turned it into a way to supplement their incomes and in many cases their only means of income. The women work in their homes, where they can assimilate basket-making into their normal routine - giving themselves time to raise their children, work in the fields, collect water, and do other daily chores. 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 color. Designs are taken from traditional Zulu beadwork. A true collector's item.

Sara and Elizabeth personally selected these baskets on their recent trip to South Africa.

MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN ZULU BASKET WEAVING

Ilala Palm - Most 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. These baskets are not water-tight, they're used for dry storage. Dyed Ilala interweaved to impart color and design. Natural shade: light brown

SOME COMMON COLORS USED IN ZULU BASKET WEAVING

All colors are natural (except black, which uses battery acid!), and obtained from boiling roots, leaves, berries, and bark of indigenous flora. Many are seasonal. The dyestuffs are finely chopped, water is added, and the grasses to be dyed are boiled in this mixture.

Brown/Black (Isizimane) - Roots of the tree, crushed (boiled for many days)

Pink/Lilac (Mpheghumbetu) - Leaves of a small bush (boiled 12-18 hours)

Coral (Mgwenya) - Aloe Roots (boiled 4-6 hours)

Purple/Blue (Umdoni) - Skin of ripe Umdoni berries (boiled for 4-5 hours)

Burgundy/Maroon (Isfizu) - Bark of Marula tree (boiled 1-2 hours)

Orange (Xomisane) - Roots of a small plant (boiled 2-4 hours)

Mustard/Yellow (Icena) - Paste of wood ash and water. (soaked overnight, boiled for 5-7 hours)

Grey (Ijuba) - Soaked in black mud for up to 1 week

Khaki Green (Mxuba) - The green color is clearer in Spring. Fresh cow dung, soaked overnight in water, then boiled with palm leaves (4-5 hours)

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