Makenge Tree Root Wedding Basket - Lozi People, Zambia - Sold

Makenge tree roots were gathered from the Makenge bush, boiled until soft & then woven into coil-shaped or flat-weave baskets. Traditionally, Zambian baskets were used as a marriage gift. To this day, households use the baskets for winnowing, transporting and storing grain.

Presented to the bride, who in turn will pass it on, and so on through the generations. The heirloom is so durable that it is not unusual for these baskets to have been used in the family for over 100 years! It takes over a month to make a basket like this.
To keep the basket in usable condition, banana leaves are used for repairs which renews both the basket's appearance as well as its function.

Diameter: 23" x Depth: 4 1/4"