Zulu Isichumo Basket South Africa

Isichumo Beer Basket handmade by the Zulu People in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This basket was woven by Hiengiwe Ntulie.

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 in which 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 regular routine - giving themselves time to raise their children, work in the fields, collect water, and other daily chores. Every basket is made by hand, using indigenous raw materials. 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.

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 the Ukhamba and it works on the same principle.

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

Ncube - Bark of wild Banana. These baskets are not water-tight, they're used for dry storage. Dyed Ilala is interwoven 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!), 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 the 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 the 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)

We spent many hours selecting baskets this autumn.

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