Zulu Miniature Herb Basket with Lid South Africa MATTER COLLECTION

Zulu tight-weave basket with lid, used for herbs.

Zulu herb basket used to store small herbs for culinary purposes and also herbs prescribed by the Nyanga (herbalist) or Sangoma (Soothsayer/witchdoctor) to cure various ailments. Woven from Ilala Palm using natural dyes.

Handmade in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Zulus are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship. Dotted on the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, there exists a beehive of industries, 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.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

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